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
Noun
That is equivalent to about $108. Daniel Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 30 Oct. 2025 The Favorite Daughter shoe line boasts a lineup of shoes with a designer-equivalent vibe across its range of styles including pumps, boots, loafers and sneakers. Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Shopping secondhand is the equivalent of solving a fun fashion mystery. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2025 The folder is titled—generically, non-committal-y—writing, the equivalent of an unknown number in my phone. Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for equivalent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for equivalent
Noun
  • Novelists—those modern counterparts to the epic poets—have something to teach all those constituencies.
    Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Such an ambitious agenda assumes a counterpart who is either inclined or compelled to cooperate.
    Neil Thomas, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Certain closet staples are well worth investing in, but finding comparable styles at a more affordable price point can make building a solid seasonal wardrobe more realistic.
    Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The Senate Appropriations Committee advanced a measure to fund NASA at a level comparable to fiscal year 2025, and there is bipartisan support for maintaining the space agency's science programs.
    Josh Dinner, Space.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The characters are all different, but the contrast in personalities was similar.
    Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Lee made a video about the clear-shoe trend, adopted by the likes of Simone Rocha and Loewe for spring 2026; Loewe layered socks of different colors with transparent kitten heels.
    Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • That case established a new Second Amendment test, holding that modern-day regulations regarding gun rights must have an analogous historical regulation.
    Solcyré Burga, Time, 27 Oct. 2025
  • As fiction films do something analogous to what is done in prose forms like the novel and the short story, so nonfiction films can have a broad choice of nonfiction literary models.
    Susan Sontag, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The Times’ error immediately garnered write-ups in The Washington Post, The New York Times, New York Magazine, and other outlets.
    Max Tani, semafor.com, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Those same records also showed that the only other purchases of BAM in the state of Colorado had been from the Colorado Parks and Wildlife agency and the National Parks Service — both of which maintained careful records of any use of the drug, per the indictment.
    Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • While its initial focus was cross-border payments, Zhang said the company’s revenue is now spread over an array of products, with business accounts similar to Mercury comprising 34% of its revenue, spend management 20%, and payments 30%.
    Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Though the Maldives is the first country to enact such a ban, similar proposals have been debated – and nearly imposed – in other parts of the world.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Though some people do entirely substitute cannabis for alcohol, this doesn’t appear to be having widespread effects on drinking.
    Kate Bernot, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Georgia was attending college part time and working as a substitute grade-school teacher.
    Bob Cary, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The team would need to make a corresponding move to put Zavala back on the main roster.
    Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The corresponding shares are 13% in Georgia, 13% in North Carolina, 15% in Pennsylvania, and 15% in Nevada.
    Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 29 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Equivalent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equivalent. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.

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