equivalent 1 of 2

Definition of equivalentnext
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
Attrition rates among offshore employees can run significantly higher than their onshore equivalents, not because the talent is weaker, but because the employment experience often is. William Jones, USA Today, 18 June 2026 Agentic systems require a digital equivalent. Jeffrey Highman, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
Adjective
Before the war, nearly 20 million barrels of crude oil and other products passed daily through the strait, equivalent to 20% of global oil demand. Maydeen Merino, The Washington Examiner, 12 June 2026 Citi estimates each gigawatt is equivalent to $15 billion for AMD. Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for equivalent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for equivalent
Noun
  • Mirroring their onscreen counterparts, Snow takes a highly analytical approach to her craft, while Akerman relies more on instinct.
    Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 17 June 2026
  • The two-time Africa Cup of Nations winner succeeded his French counterpart in 2014 as head coach of Ivory Coast following its group stage exit at the World Cup.
    ABC News, ABC News, 17 June 2026
Adjective
  • McGeady’s career was not, in the nicest possible way, comparable to Ronaldinho, but the two-touch spin became his trademark and will be familiar to gamers, as well as to Celtic, Spartak Moscow, Everton and Sunderland fans.
    Stuart James, New York Times, 16 June 2026
  • Sources interviewed for this story said that broadly speaking, prices remain high for contemporary works, despite the fact that comparable works can often be found for considerably less at auction.
    Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 15 June 2026
Adjective
  • But bringing Lestat into the present introduced a different challenge.
    Precious Fondren, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026
  • The program is not so different to some policies already pursued by the current Labour government.
    Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 20 June 2026
Noun
  • Amid the fallout, Honarkar lost possession of most of his properties, including the historic Hotel Laguna, where a public scuffle had broken out in 2023 between his security team and guards working for the partner who wrested control of the landmark.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026
  • The company will also begin outreach to Lunya’s existing wholesale partners and Dana-co’s broader retail network in coming weeks.
    Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 20 June 2026
Adjective
  • Ali, who has been the series’ resident mentor, father figure, listening ear, voice of reason and confidant, transforms into what is most analogous to an action hero in a revenge plot.
    Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 17 June 2026
  • The force-carrying particles have an analogous distinction, known as a polarization state.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 15 June 2026
Adjective
  • Under California law, police agencies are generally required to release to the public audio and video recordings of police shootings and other critical incidents involving great bodily injury within 45 days of the incident.
    Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2026
  • There are other awards given to restaurants and the hospitality industry but the James Beard Foundation, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary, puts a premium on discovery and on American cuisine.
    Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 16 June 2026
Adjective
  • As a result, many working-class Korean and Latino immigrant households lived side by side and often confronted similar challenges, including substandard housing conditions, landlord abuses and underfunded public schools.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
  • Curaçao’s next opponent, Ecuador, faced a similar loss, falling short to Cote D’Ivoire in its first World Cup match.
    Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2026
Adjective
  • Court filings obtained by PEOPLE previously revealed that McBee was ordered to surrender several luxury watches — including a Rolex Daytona and two Tag Heuer timepieces — as substitute assets toward satisfying the money judgment tied to the case.
    Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026
  • Morrison pushed back, making a substitute motion to adopt the budget as presented by staff and revisit the item in August.
    Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Equivalent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equivalent. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.

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