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

Others on Wall Street, however, see higher levels of risk, equating Meta's case to Big Tobacco in the 1990s when tobacco companies had to pay billions for misleading the public about the safety and potential harms of their products. — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026

Many may equate Waymo cars with the white fleet originally seen around town. — Chierstin Roth, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

There may be a little more gray in Grohl’s goatee, but don’t equate that with waning stamina. — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026

Summary Common perception equates effective leadership with charisma, often ignoring competent but uncharismatic individuals. — Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 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