equivalent 1 of 2

as in counterpart
one that is equal to another in status, achievement, or value that huge mansion at the end of the street is the equivalent of five ordinary houses

Synonyms & Similar Words

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equivalent

2 of 2

adjective

Synonym Chooser

How is the word equivalent different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of equivalent are equal, identical, same, selfsame, and very. While all these words mean "not different or not differing from one another," equivalent implies amounting to the same thing in worth or significance.

two houses equivalent in market value

When would equal be a good substitute for equivalent?

While in some cases nearly identical to equivalent, equal implies being identical in value, magnitude, or some specified quality.

equal shares in the business

Where would identical be a reasonable alternative to equivalent?

Although the words identical and equivalent have much in common, identical may imply selfsameness or suggest absolute agreement in all details.

identical results

How are the words same and selfsame related as synonyms of equivalent?

Same may imply and selfsame always implies that the things under consideration are one thing and not two or more things.

took the same route
derived from the selfsame source

How does the word very relate to other synonyms for equivalent?

Very, like selfsame, may imply identity, or, like same may imply likeness in kind.

the very point I was trying to make

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of equivalent
Adjective
Meta’s need for new nuclear power, for example, is nearly equivalent to the entire 4.8 gigawatts of generating capacity at the Vogtle plant, enough to power more than 2 million homes and businesses. Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 23 Feb. 2025 The 625 million acres is roughly equivalent to 976,562.5 square miles. Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 20 Feb. 2025 That is equivalent to less than 1% of total annual government spending. Didi Tang, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2025 What college sports has right now is equivalent to European soccer: individual leagues with different strengths bankrolled by big spenders and brands, with a continental tournament and transfer market similar to the CFP and transfer portal. Seth Emerson, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for equivalent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for equivalent
Noun
  • Research shows that Black women are 50% less likely to be diagnosed with the condition than their white counterparts.
    Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 6 Mar. 2025
  • The Institute’s Democratic counterpart, the National Democratic Institute, faces a similar challenge.
    Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Brown says the championship game sold out months ago at rates that are comparable to NFL games, and that overall tournament ad sales are pacing nearly 200 percent above last year, an enormous increase at a moment where the overall ad business is still embracing a certain amount of austerity.
    Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2025
  • He's known for his power just like Stanton, and the numbers in 2024 were very comparable.
    William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Schenn’s situation, however, is a little different.
    Jeremy Rutherford, The Athletic, 5 Mar. 2025
  • There are a few different types of cleaning devices that can fall into the category of a wet/dry vac, including wet floor cleaners and steam cleaners.
    Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Expert regulatory economists have pointed to analogous benefits to the American economy that would stem from U.S. regulatory reform (which President Trump has made a top priority for his second term).
    Alden Abbott, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
  • The other bird has one copy of the standard and one copy of the supergene, analogous to the XY genotype.
    Donna L. Maney, Scientific American, 18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • While the Midwest and the South are bracing for possible severe storms Friday and Saturday, on Thursday there was a critical risk of fire in Texas and other parts of the Great Plains — and the extreme danger will continue into the weekend.
    Phil Helsel, NBC News, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Connor Brown was the only other forward to have a positive Corsi forward percentage.
    Daniel Nugent-Bowman, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Beck is hoping for a similar type of breakout after taking a step back in 2024.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2025
  • The Dominicana is a gorgeous drink, a showstopper, directionally similar to the White Russian but a different experience altogether.
    Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Each of the bedrooms has a corresponding en suite that features beadboard walls, an oak vanity with rope detailing, and a stone countertop that extends upwards to wrap around the mirrors.
    Morgan Goldberg, Architectural Digest, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Quadrants should be labeled urgent/important (do first), urgent/not important (delegate), not urgent/important (schedule), not urgent/not important (stop), with tasks placed into their corresponding quadrant.
    Sally Percy, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • While some users may switch to alternative search engines in response, most will eventually move on.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
  • The cut is now up to 13 weeks on the alternative roster and 14 frames on the rock-only tally.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Equivalent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equivalent. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

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