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

Happiness is equated early on to alpine hamlets ensconced between verdant mountains carved by pristine waterfalls. —Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 1 June 2026

Millennials, in particular, have been tagged as a generation that romanticizes the pivot—that equates reinvention with a full reset. —Jasmine Browley, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026

While being named in the files does not equate with wrongdoing, and Mette-Marit has not been accused of any crimes, one of the biggest questions about the Epstein files surrounds her 2013 visit to the financier's home in Palm Beach, Fla. —Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 27 May 2026

Pitching coach Tommy Hottovy equated Brown’s role this season to a fork in the road, though not in a do-this-or-things-won’t-go-well way. —Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 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