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.
In this light, losing one’s memory is tantamount to losing one’s sense of self. Marion Renault, The Atlantic, 13 May 2025 Of course the quality, complexity and consistency of the drinks is tantamount. Alissa Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025 Listening devices are everywhere; even planning to make a speech, at this point, is tantamount to showing up and waving a blaster on the Senate floor. Jesse Hassenger, Vulture, 7 May 2025 Wade claimed that in the basketball world, his height, 6 foot 4, was tantamount to Brunson’s. Dave Itzkoff, New York Times, 4 May 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 20 May. 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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