equivalent 1 of 2

Definition of equivalentnext
as in counterpart
one that is equal to another in status, achievement, or value that huge mansion at the end of the street is the equivalent of five ordinary houses

Synonyms & Similar Words

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equivalent

2 of 2

adjective

Synonym Chooser

How is the word equivalent different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of equivalent are equal, identical, same, selfsame, and very. While all these words mean "not different or not differing from one another," equivalent implies amounting to the same thing in worth or significance.

two houses equivalent in market value

When would equal be a good substitute for equivalent?

While in some cases nearly identical to equivalent, equal implies being identical in value, magnitude, or some specified quality.

equal shares in the business

Where would identical be a reasonable alternative to equivalent?

Although the words identical and equivalent have much in common, identical may imply selfsameness or suggest absolute agreement in all details.

identical results

How are the words same and selfsame related as synonyms of equivalent?

Same may imply and selfsame always implies that the things under consideration are one thing and not two or more things.

took the same route
derived from the selfsame source

How does the word very relate to other synonyms for equivalent?

Very, like selfsame, may imply identity, or, like same may imply likeness in kind.

the very point I was trying to make

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of equivalent
Noun
In fact, the ratio is typical of that found on the outer edge of planet-forming discs around young stars, implying 3I/ATLAS formed a long way out from its parent star, perhaps in the equivalent of its Kuiper belt. Keith Cooper, Space.com, 6 July 2026 The law effectively gives a $9,000 per year voucher – the equivalent of what the state spends on each public school student – to any Florida K-12 student, regardless of disability status or family income. Kendall Deas, The Conversation, 6 July 2026
Adjective
To raise it by a full child, roughly what China or South Korea would need to do to approach stability, would require spending equivalent to 10% of GDP. Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 7 July 2026 That’s roughly equivalent to the amount of power needed to power 60,000 homes during peak usage, according to estimates from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas. Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for equivalent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for equivalent
Noun
  • After recently joining the brand ambassadorship craze by naming Spanish music sensation Bad Gyal as their brand’s first ambassador, the Dsquared2 founders are adding a male counterpart to this new strategy by tapping another local talent.
    Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 3 July 2026
  • Unlike larger corporate counterparts, SMEs don't always have the financial reserves to comfortably absorb geopolitical upheaval and rapid inflation.
    Rupert Lee-Browne, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Adjective
  • The Australian Productivity Commission proposed a similar wide-ranging TDM exception to cover AI model training, citing comparable exceptions in Japan and Singapore.
    Zoey Forbes, The Dial, 7 July 2026
  • County officials kept comparable county manager salaries in the metro area in mind when making their decision, Jebens-Singh said.
    Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 7 July 2026
Adjective
  • As the match enters a hydration break, Austria — which has already gone for broke with four substitutions this half — will have to try something different to rally.
    Ashley Mowreader, NBC news, 3 July 2026
  • Researchers then move the ion to different locations above the chip by adjusting voltages on the trap electrodes.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026
Noun
  • Through a series of acrylic paintings, Gardner explores intimate connections between parents and children, partners and siblings, inviting viewers to identify themselves within his signature faceless figures.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • The event drew people like Carmichael resident Melanie Groth and her partner.
    Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026
Adjective
  • Moreover, the timeline for doing all this is roughly analogous as well – a matter of weeks, once the fissile material is in hand.
    Ilan Berman, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • The timelines are just different, and finding analogous industries to benchmark defense companies against is not easy.
    Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 2 July 2026
Adjective
  • Despite these complexities, active carriers maintain powerful air wings with F/A-18 Super Hornets and other advanced aircraft.
    Peter Suciu, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
  • For reasons that remain unclear, he was subsequently approved to be moved in with other detainees.
    Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2026
Adjective
  • The arrests come a few weeks after 12 men were taken into custody in a similar sting operation in Miami-Dade.
    Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 2 July 2026
  • The Boyle Heights blaze, similar to the Eaton and Palisades fires, has revealed the region’s air monitoring can’t always tell people what they’ve been exposed to in a disaster.
    Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Adjective
  • She has also been spotted working as a substitute anchor for various personnel, particularly on weekends.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 1 July 2026
  • Prices rise, traders look for substitute barrels, freight costs move and governments issue careful statements about stability.
    Gregory Shahnovsky, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Equivalent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equivalent. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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