tantamount

adjective

tan·​ta·​mount ˈtan-tə-ˌmau̇nt How to pronounce tantamount (audio)
: equivalent in value, significance, or effect
a relationship tantamount to marriage

Did you know?

Although tantamount (from the Anglo-French phrase tant amunter, meaning “to amount to as much”) was used three different ways in the early 17th century—as a noun, verb, and adjective—the adjective form has since proven paramount to English users: it’s still in use while the noun and verb are obsolete. This is not to say that the adjective hasn’t experienced change over the years. While it was once acceptable to use tantamount in a variety of different sentence structures, nowadays it is almost always followed by the word to. And to use it before a noun, as in “the two old friends exchanged tantamount greetings,” would now be considered, er, tantamount to riding a penny-farthing or boneshaker onto the expressway.

Examples of tantamount in a Sentence

His statement was tantamount to an admission of guilt. They see any criticism of the President as tantamount to treason.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
According to the trio of conservative candidates, spending $978 million on the state’s Emergency Assistance shelter system in fiscal 2025 is tantamount to an indictment of the Healey Administration’s ability to manage the state’s other problems. Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 13 Oct. 2025 The idea the two-time defending champs are tantamount to underdogs to make history is itself a compelling story -- good for the league. Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025 There’s also a belief that three phases of the game should impact the result, and that putting an offense on the opponent’s 25-yard line is tantamount to an NHL shootout. The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025 His framing instead relied on the dubious proposition that drug smuggling is tantamount to violent aggression. Jacob Sullum, Oc Register, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tantamount

Word History

Etymology

obsolete tantamount, noun, equivalent, from Anglo-French tant amunter to amount to as much

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tantamount was in 1641

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Cite this Entry

“Tantamount.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tantamount. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

tantamount

adjective
tan·​ta·​mount ˈtant-ə-ˌmau̇nt How to pronounce tantamount (audio)
: equal in value, meaning, or effect

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