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 of equate

• 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

There is a version of leadership that confuses visibility with impact, equating big initiatives and dramatic turnarounds with strong leadership. —Monica Cutia, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026

Israel and the United States condemned the move, accusing the court of equating Israeli leaders with Hamas terrorists. —Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026

Christian humanism offers an urgent corrective to those who equate Christian success with the seizure of power. —Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026

Five Hundred Years of Religion in America means this is not just another history going back to 1776, and this is not a book that equates religion with Christianity. —Literary Hub, 9 June 2026

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