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
• liken

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

For years, these concerns were sidelined in festival culture, with volume often equated with immersion and intensity. —Shelby Knick, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025

The White House has equated Harvard’s policies (think: diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, as well as the handling of protests, etc.) to political activity. —Cate Martel, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2025

To ignore discomfort, to equate worth with productivity, to see bodily struggles as something to hide or overcome rather than something to acknowledge. —Jayne Mattingly, Time, 16 Apr. 2025

To equate coca with the raw alkaloid is, in fact, as misguided as suggesting that the delicious flesh of a peach is equivalent to the hydrogen cyanide found in every peach pit. —Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 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