equate

verb

i-ˈkwāt 

ˈē-ˌkwāt

equated; equating

transitive verb

1

a

: to make equal : equalize

b

: to make such an allowance or correction in as will reduce to a common standard or obtain a correct result

2

: to treat, represent, or regard as equal, equivalent, or comparable

equates disagreement with disloyalty

intransitive verb

: to correspond as equal

Synonyms

• compare

Examples of equate in a Sentence

You shouldn't equate those two things.

a value system that equates money with success

Recent Examples on the Web

Even the now-official name of the detention center compromises the dignity of those held there, equating all of them with the ruthless and violent criminals who populated Alcatraz Island Penitentiary from 1934 to 1963. —David Kay, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Aug. 2025

Too many banks equate modernization with moonshots. —Paul Davis, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025

Protesters, including some Jewish groups, say the Trump administration wrongly equates their criticism of Israel’s military assault in Gaza and its occupation of Palestinian territories with antisemitism, and advocacy for Palestinian rights with support for extremism. —CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2025

At the official exchange rate used by state enterprises, which equates one dollar to 24 pesos, those assets would be equivalent to an additional $9.8 billion. —Nora Gamez Torres, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin aequatus, past participle of aequare

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing equate

• equate to
• equate with/and

Rhymes for equate

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• breastplate
• bromate
• casemate

Kids Definition

equate

verb

i-ˈkwāt 

equated; equating

: to make or treat as equal or equivalent