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

Enterprise leaders often equate more features with more value. —Amiad Solomon, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025

The result is a myth that equates freedom with consumption, while obscuring the vast social, ecological, and economic costs imposed on everyone else. —Henrietta Moore, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2025

Komodo, Indonesia Most travelers equate Komodo in the Indonesian archipelago with its fierce dragons, the world’s largest living lizards. —Terry Ward, AFAR Media, 11 Sep. 2025

Investors will equate the United States to Turkey or Argentina, where leaders bully central banks and currencies collapse. —Dan Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 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