In one example, a ternary content addressable memory (TCAM) includes an input port coupled to receive a W-bit key as input, and an output port coupled to provide a match vector as output, the match vector including at least one bit. The TCAM further includes a memory having memory cells operable to store N*W pairs of bits for N W-bit TCAM words. The memory includes a plurality of memory outputs. The TCAM further includes at least one compare circuit. The at least one compare circuit includes at least one multiplexer each coupled to receive as input a true version and a complement version of a bit of the W-bit key. Each of the at least one multiplexer is controlled by a respective pair of memory outputs of the plurality of memory outputs. The at least one compare circuit further includes combinatorial logic coupled to perform at least one logical AND operation based on output of the at least one multiplexer.