Merriam-Webster Dictionary vs Dictionary.com

Merriam-Webster Dictionary9.0Visit Dictionary.com8.9Visit

Higher score Merriam-Webster Dictionary #5 in Online Dictionaries 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Dictionary

vs

Dictionary.com #6 in Online Dictionaries 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit Dictionary.com

• Merriam-Webster Dictionary fits best

  English definition and thesaurus users

• Dictionary.com fits best

  General English lookup and word games

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Side by side

Feature	Merriam-Webster Dictionary 9.0/10 Visit ↗	Dictionary.com 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.0	8.9
Ranking	#5 in Online Dictionaries	#6 in Online Dictionaries
Best for	English definition and thesaurus users	General English lookup and word games
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	—	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile	Cloud, Mobile
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	Web, iOS, Android
Features Merriam-Webster Dictionary 4/4 · Dictionary.com 2/4
Audio pronunciation	✓	✓
Usage examples	✓	✓
Translation lookup	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Offline access	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Specs
Mobile apps	Ios_android	Ios_android
Languages covered	1	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Free definitions, audio pronunciations, examples, and thesaurus content Offline definitions and synonyms are available in the mobile apps Voice search, quizzes, games, favorites, and search history support learning	Free access across web, iOS, and Android Audio pronunciation, examples, senses, and word forms Adds thesaurus links, etymology, quizzes, and games
Cons	The primary dictionary experience is focused on English Premium access is required for an ad-free experience Medical, legal, and kids dictionaries require additional purchases	Focused on English rather than broader translation workflows Related synonym and antonym searches use Thesaurus.com Editorial extras may exceed the needs of quick lookups
Our verdict	Merriam-Webster Dictionary is an online English-language reference service for definitions, pronunciations, synonyms, usage examples, word histories, and related language information. It suits students, writers, learners, and anyone who… Read the review →	Dictionary.com is a free online English dictionary for learners, writers, students, teachers, and anyone exploring language. Its searchable entries cover definitions, multiple word senses, audio pronunciation, usage examples, synonyms,… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Merriam-Webster Dictionary — where it wins

  • Free definitions, audio pronunciations, examples, and thesaurus content
  • Offline definitions and synonyms are available in the mobile apps
  • Voice search, quizzes, games, favorites, and search history support learning

  Where it doesn't

  • The primary dictionary experience is focused on English
  • Premium access is required for an ad-free experience
  • Medical, legal, and kids dictionaries require additional purchases

• Dictionary.com — where it wins

  • Free access across web, iOS, and Android
  • Audio pronunciation, examples, senses, and word forms
  • Adds thesaurus links, etymology, quizzes, and games

  Where it doesn't

  • Focused on English rather than broader translation workflows
  • Related synonym and antonym searches use Thesaurus.com
  • Editorial extras may exceed the needs of quick lookups

• Merriam-Webster Dictionary9.0/10 · Free plan

  A strong free English reference with audio, examples, thesaurus tools, and mobile lookup.

  Visit DictionaryFull verdict →
• Dictionary.com8.9/10 · Free plan

  A free English reference with definitions, pronunciation, examples, and word-play extras.

  Visit Dictionary.comFull verdict →