equal 1 of 3

adjective

ˈē-kwəl How to pronounce equal (audio)
Definition of equalnext
1
as in equitable
marked by justice, honesty, and freedom from bias the basic belief that everyone is entitled to equal opportunity in employment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in identical
resembling another in every respect as far as I can see, except for the high price, the store-brand jacket is equal to the jacket with the designer label

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in suitable
having the required skills for an acceptable level of performance looking for someone equal to the challenge of running a large state university

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in composed
free from emotional or mental agitation he proceeded, in an equal tone, to recount the terrible events of the day

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

equal

2 of 3

noun

as in equivalent
one that is equal to another in status, achievement, or value a basketball player who truly has no equal in his sport

Synonyms & Similar Words

equal

3 of 3

verb

1
as in to match
to produce something equal to (as in quality or value) no one has equaled Shakespeare's plays

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to mean
to be the same in meaning or effect being confined to home for a whole weekend would equal a death sentence in the minds of a lot of teens

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to parallel
to be the exact counterpart of in the British system a public school equals an American prep school

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of equal are equivalent, identical, same, selfsame, and very. While all these words mean "not different or not differing from one another," equal implies being identical in value, magnitude, or some specified quality.

equal shares in the business

When might equivalent be a better fit than equal?

In some situations, the words equivalent and equal are roughly equivalent. However, equivalent implies amounting to the same thing in worth or significance.

two houses equivalent in market value

When is identical a more appropriate choice than equal?

The synonyms identical and equal are sometimes interchangeable, but identical may imply selfsameness or suggest absolute agreement in all details.

identical results

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

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 equal?

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 equal different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of equal are equivalent, identical, same, selfsame, and very. While all these words mean "not different or not differing from one another," equal implies being identical in value, magnitude, or some specified quality.

equal shares in the business

When might equivalent be a better fit than equal?

In some situations, the words equivalent and equal are roughly equivalent. However, equivalent implies amounting to the same thing in worth or significance.

two houses equivalent in market value

When is identical a more appropriate choice than equal?

The synonyms identical and equal are sometimes interchangeable, but identical may imply selfsameness or suggest absolute agreement in all details.

identical results

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

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 equal?

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 equal different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of equal are equivalent, identical, same, selfsame, and very. While all these words mean "not different or not differing from one another," equal implies being identical in value, magnitude, or some specified quality.

equal shares in the business

When might equivalent be a better fit than equal?

In some situations, the words equivalent and equal are roughly equivalent. However, equivalent implies amounting to the same thing in worth or significance.

two houses equivalent in market value

When is identical a more appropriate choice than equal?

The synonyms identical and equal are sometimes interchangeable, but identical may imply selfsameness or suggest absolute agreement in all details.

identical results

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

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 equal?

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 equal
Adjective
Such an imbalance is incompatible with the principle of equal representation. —Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026 For serious stains, apply paste for 30 minutes and then leave the item to soak overnight in a tub with water and equal parts vinegar and detergent. —Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2026
Noun
Yet given the power differential between China and Canada—or, for that matter, between China and any NATO ally other than the United States—such a partnership will not be among equals. —Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2026 In the courtroom, Waldman has few equals. —William Jones, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
Verb
That equals five or six days’ worth of normal shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, or a bit over one day’s worth of global consumption of about 101 million barrels per day. —David McHugh, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026 The result has been a huge factor in a Celtics team that has equaled more than the sum of its parts, with Queta unexpectedly bolstering a frontcourt that lost mainstays Al Horford and Kristaps Porziņģis in the offseason. —John Hollinger, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for equal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for equal
  1. equitable
  2. identical
  3. suitable
  4. composed
  5. equivalent
  6. match
  7. mean
  8. parallel
Adjective
  • Any suggestion of a cohesive, equitable tax policy in Florida has been shredded by petty partisanship, deceitful tactics and fake populism.
    — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
  • The housing crisis has also put pressure on speeding up more development, even though studies have argued that no evidence exists that such moves make housing more equitable.
    — Jenny Staletovich, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2026
Definition of equitable
Adjective
  • Recently, the Pet Poison Helpline identified an identical illness in dogs that ingested large amounts of cream of tartar (one dog ate homemade Play-Dough), or tamarind pods or paste (used in Southeast Asian dishes).
    — The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Senate Republicans have found themselves in a spot nearly identical to the one Democrats were in four years ago.
    — Paul Kane, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2026
Definition of identical
Adjective
  • Although researchers have so far identified over 6,000 exoplanets beyond our solar system, only a handful of them may be suitable for human visitors.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 19 Mar. 2026
  • Simulator games suitable for all members of the family have a much larger potential reach.
    — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of suitable
Adjective
  • Before Tuesday night, Konate had looked much more composed and commanding.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Brown steered that rally with composed, aggressive play at both ends, helping force turnovers on back-to-back Spurs possessions and dishing out four first-quarter assists.
    — Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
Definition of composed
Noun
  • Focusing on films from Spain, Portugal and Latin America, and hosting the Spanish Screenings Content, Spain’s equivalent of France’s Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Paris.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Those charges did not require a tie to any organization, and there is no domestic equivalent to the State Department’s list of foreign terrorist organizations.
    — Jamie Stengle, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2026
Definition of equivalent
Verb
  • Texas wing Dailyn Swain is matched up against BYU star AJ Dybantsa.
    — Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Those dollars can be matched by federal grants.
    — Olivia Young, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of match
Verb
  • This means that your desire to whip things in shape at home or with a family member might be ill-timed.
    — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 19 Mar. 2026
  • The losses deepened after the Fed decided to keep its main interest rate steady, instead of resuming cuts meant to give the job market and economy a boost.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of mean
Verb
  • The book paralleled Plath’s own experiences with depression; the writer tragically died by suicide just a month after the novel’s first UK publication.
    — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2026
  • But perhaps the most significant factor in Krishnamoorthi’s fundraising success has been his ability to tap into a largely affluent Indian American community, whose growth and increasing political engagement — and giving — has paralleled his own rise.
    — Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
Definition of parallel

Browse Nearby Words

equable
equal
equaled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Equal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equal. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of equal for Spanish Speakers

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