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

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 the most competitive markets, public school students gained the equivalent of 120 additional days of learning in reading; that’s two-thirds of a full school year. Tommy Schultz, Boston Herald, 26 Mar. 2026 Many classes on the Peloton Tread use pace targets, which are the treadmill equivalent of power zones on Peloton’s bikes. Craig Rawlins-Wilson, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
According to Habben Jansen, six Hapag-Lloyd vessels with a total capacity of about 25,000 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) are still stuck in the Gulf. Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 27 Mar. 2026 The facility helps avoid carbon dioxide emissions equivalent to removing more than 1 million cars off the road each year. Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 27 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for equivalent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for equivalent
Noun
  • The two Republican frontrunners enjoy more consolidated support from their political base than their Democratic counterparts, creating an asymmetrical advantage that could result in both Republicans advancing despite Democratic registration advantages in the state.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Richie Garcia is worried about the impact robot umpires will have on their human counterparts.
    Ronald Blum, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Many of Mecklenburg County’s top officials make similar or better money than those doing comparable jobs in other parts of the state and country.
    Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Dell’s total headcount fell roughly 10%, or about 11,000 employees, in fiscal 2026, according to its 10-K filing, which is the third consecutive year of comparable declines.
    Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Each ticket costs $5, and players may pick six numbers from two separate pools of numbers - five different numbers from 1 to 70 (the white balls) and one number from 1 to 24 (the gold Mega Ball) - or select Easy Pick/Quick Pick.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
  • He's accused of placing cameras in the restrooms of three other parks, with at least 12 different victims.
    James Taylor, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Grab a partner and get out of your comfort zone.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Uber and its fleet partners will purchase 10,000 autonomous R2 vehicles from Rivian.
    Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The public nuisance theory in the New Mexico case is designed to produce an analogous structural outcome for social media.
    Carolina Rossini, The Conversation, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Beitler sees scrolling on TikTok as analogous to surfing TV channels.
    Phil Wahba, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Sure, a lot of other stuff has to go right for the Royals to return to contention, including keeping their pitching staff healthy and progress by Caglianone and fellow promising rookie Carter Jensen.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Crews set fire to trees, grease and various other objects to try out the capabilities.
    Joy Benedict, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The situation mirrors a recent case in Sweetwater, where hundreds of families were also displaced under similar terms, with financial incentives decreasing the longer residents wait to leave.
    Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr Elarms-Orr is in a similar position as Obiazor.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Duncan and substitute right back DJ Taylor gave up the two PKs.
    Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Rubel then made a substitute motion to hold the bill in committee to give lawmakers time to discuss it.
    Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 10 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Equivalent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equivalent. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.

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