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Antonyms for hold a candle to
| Grammar : Verb |
| Spell : kan-dl |
| Phonetic Transcription : ˈkæn dl |
Definition of hold a candle to
Origin :- Old English candel "lamp, lantern, candle," an early ecclesiastical borrowing from Latin candela "a light, torch, candle made of tallow or wax," from candere "to shine," from PIE root *kand- "to glow, to shine, to shoot out light" (cf. Sanskrit cand- "to give light, shine," candra- "shining, glowing, moon;" Greek kandaros "coal;" Welsh cann "white;" Middle Irish condud "fuel").
- Candles were unknown in ancient Greece (where oil lamps sufficed), but common from early times among Romans and Etruscans. Candles on birthday cakes seems to have been originally a German custom. To hold a candle to originally meant "to help in a subordinate capacity," from the notion of an assistant or apprentice holding a candle for light while the master works. To burn the candle at both ends is recorded from 1730.
- As in touch : verb compare with; correspond to
- As in compare : verb examine in contrast
- As in compare : verb liken, equate
- As in contrast : verb compare, differ
Synonyms for hold a candle to
- allegorize
- amount
- analyze
- approach
- approximate to
- assimilate
- balance
- be a foil to
- be a match for
- be contrary to
- be dissimilar
- be diverse
- be in the same class as
- be in the same league
- be on a par
- be on a par with
- be unlike
- be variable
- bear comparison
- bracket
- bring near
- collate
- come near
- come to
- come up to
- compete with
- conflict
- confront
- connect
- consider
- contemplate
- contradict
- contrast
- correlate
- depart
- deviate
- differentiate
- disagree
- distinguish
- distinguish between
- diverge
- divide
- draw parallel
- equal
- equate
- examine
- hang
- hold a candle to
- identify with
- inspect
- juxtapose
- link
- make like
- match
- match up
- measure
- measure up
- meet
- mismatch
- notice similarities
- observe
- oppose
- parallel
- partake of
- place in juxtaposition
- ponder
- put alongside
- relate
- resemble
- rival
- scan
- scrutinize
- segregate
- separate
- set against
- set in opposition
- set off
- set side by side
- show correspondence
- size up
- stack up against
- stack up with
- stand out
- standardize
- study
- tie
- tie up
- touch
- vary
- verge on
- vie
- weigh
- weigh against another
Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019