equivalent 1 of 2

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
Adjective
Current Russian President Vladimir Putin revived the Mother Heroine award in 2022, also throwing in a payment of 1 million rubles, equivalent to more than $12,000. Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 22 Apr. 2025 That’s roughly equivalent to the electricity needed to power 4.4 million homes for a day. Umair Irfan, Vox, 21 Apr. 2025 Units comprise album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA). Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 21 Apr. 2025 So, there’s a strongly interacting quantum system that has an equivalent description in terms of equations that look like gravity. Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 17 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for equivalent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for equivalent
Noun
  • His pitching counterpart, Grant Holmes, wasn’t so lucky.
    Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2025
  • Those stars will have an equal counterpart on the other side.
    The Athletic NHL, New York Times, 3 May 2025
Adjective
  • If Villa prepare assiduously to burst out of the blocks at home, then the inverse is often true on the road, comparable to a marathon runner who is unsure of their durability in the last few miles.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025
  • The past two comparable moves in this small-investor proxy, in November 2022 and March 2022, led to stiff near-term declines in the basket within weeks.
    Michael Santoli, CNBC, 26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Vatican happenings were no different, as Romans put money down not only on conclave selections but cardinal appointments and papal activities as well.
    Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 4 May 2025
  • During the event, Brown revealed how his Mother's Day will be different this year.
    Anika Ljung, People.com, 3 May 2025
Adjective
  • In our model, the flow of traffic over a network of roads is analogous to the flow of fluids over a surface — motions that are governed by the laws of fluid dynamics.
    Steve Nadis, Quanta Magazine, 23 Apr. 2025
  • In 1958, Congress created Captioned Films for the Deaf, a program that was meant to be analogous to Talking Books for the Blind.
    David Owen, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Let your words be intentional and your thoughts be clear—especially when involving other people into your mental maze.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 May 2025
  • The pair then later came face-to-face with one another as tensions ran high, before eventually being separated by players and other security personnel.
    Ben Morse, CNN Money, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Three other states – Louisiana, New Hampshire and Wyoming – have enacted similar laws in recent months.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Wracked with guilt over Su-ho’s injuries, Si-eun enters Weak Hero Class 2 determined not to let another friend suffer a similar, gruesome fate.
    Kayti Burt, Time, 26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • As for the corresponding roster moves, both Treinen and Kopech remain a ways away from returning.
    Noah Camras, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
  • James' trilogy spawned three corresponding movies, as well as three additional books released between 2015 and 2021.
    Francesca Gariano, People.com, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • Photos of the Larimer County women's residential facility reveal the lifestyle provided to inmates who are granted an alternative sentence option.
    Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2025
  • The company also emailed developers about the changes, which include removing the limitation on alternative payment methods and removing the restriction on devs not being able to highlight other options.
    James Peckham, PC Magazine, 2 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Equivalent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equivalent. Accessed 9 May. 2025.

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