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

And aside from the usual suspects competing for trophies at the top of the table, there is not much out there for a coach who is unabashed in equating achievement and success with trophies. —Elias Burke, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026

In the prosecution’s closing argument, Assistant District Attorney Alfred Peterson said there was no dispute as to whether Santos was mentally ill, but argued his symptoms of schizophrenia were not severe enough to equate with insanity. —Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 19 Feb. 2026

Emmanuel Macron equated territorial sovereignty with the rights of the French to police their own misinformation and democracy. —Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026

More harmful, however, are mental health stereotypes that equate strength with silence. —Stuart A. Spencer, Fortune, 15 Feb. 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