Definition of equalnext
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equal

2 of 3

noun

as in equivalent
one that is equal to another in status, achievement, or value a basketball player who truly has no equal in his sport

Synonyms & Similar Words

equal

3 of 3

verb

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of equal are equivalent, identical, same, selfsame, and very. While all these words mean "not different or not differing from one another," equal implies being identical in value, magnitude, or some specified quality.

equal shares in the business

When might equivalent be a better fit than equal?

In some situations, the words equivalent and equal are roughly equivalent. However, equivalent implies amounting to the same thing in worth or significance.

two houses equivalent in market value

When is identical a more appropriate choice than equal?

The synonyms identical and equal are sometimes interchangeable, but identical may imply selfsameness or suggest absolute agreement in all details.

identical results

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

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 equal?

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 equal
Adjective
The single-level home has four bedrooms and an equal number bathrooms in roughly 3,200 square feet. — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 19 Oct. 2026 This retelling proves that by the mid-’50s, Krasner is Pollock’s equal and deserved to be see on her own. — John Yau, ARTnews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Noun
Young and old can learn from each other, not as mentors and mentees, but as equals. — Gloria Steinem, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026 This is a partnership of equals—not in the size of our populations, but in the depth of our commitments. — Naftali Bennett, Time, 9 July 2026
Verb
One serving equals a slice of whole-grain bread, half a cup of cooked oats, half a cup of brown rice or a small bowl of whole-grain cereal. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2026 The last time the Indians started a season 6-0 was in 1967, but Keller equaled that by virtue of a thrilling 49-42 win over Trophy Club Byron Nelson in key District 4-6A game on Thursday night at Keller ISD Stadium. — Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for equal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for equal
Adjective
  • Organizations need transparent goal-setting, equitable evaluation systems that don’t penalize flexibility and cultural change that values contribution over face time—a significant mindset shift.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The most effective, equitable, and cost-effective solution is Medicare for All.
    — WCCO Staff, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Currently the Swingers menus are more or less identical across both locations, though Wilson expects to introduce unique daily specials at each.
    — Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • During the 1998 Massachusetts governor’s race, political scientist Ted Brader ran a study that embedded campaign ads in a news broadcast and changed only the music and images, keeping the words identical.
    — Monique Mitchell Turner, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Last week, Niti Aayog, an Indian government think tank, shared a framework for local governments to evaluate data center projects for sustainability and to provide suitable locations, based on grid readiness and water supply availability.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Though the park’s activities are suitable for a wide variety of thrill seekers, participants must weigh between 45 and 250 pounds to safely use the park’s gear and be shorter than 6-foot-6.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • The British singer, 27, composed and co-wrote the lyrics with Bastian Langebæk and Max Wolfgang, according to the song credits on Spotify.
    — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The Emma style, a more composed and sensible block-heel pump, is for Elinor (Edgar-Jones).
    — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Unfortunately, the government then spends the equivalent of 24% of GDP on its various programs.
    — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Sceye’s platform carried the equivalent of a 4G LTE base station for the demonstration, which simulated providing backup coverage in the case of an earthquake or similar large-scale disaster.
    — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • But on closer inspection, the radiation pattern didn’t seem to quite match that of a nuke.
    — Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The signage gap matches recent polling, which shows Talarico, a four-term state representative, either tied or several points ahead of Paxton, who has never lost an election in 25 years.
    — Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Washington Post, 19 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • For a trailer covering 100,000 miles annually, that could mean approximately USD 1,854 in yearly fuel savings.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026
  • That means studying GRBs may tell us about how these elements originated.
    — Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • In the last seven years, Bryan’s struggle to become a better person has paralleled his quest to become a good songwriter.
    — Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 20 Oct. 2026
  • So the conversation paralleled what was going on with the character and with myself, which was cool.
    — Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Equal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equal. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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