Synonyms of equal

equal 1 of 3

adjective

ˈē-kwəl 

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

• equitable
• impartial
• objective
• square
• indifferent
• unbiased
• fair
• just
• candid
• disinterested
• unprejudiced
• evenhanded
• dispassionate
• reasonable
• balanced
• nonpartisan
• rational
• frank
• straightforward
• straight
• open
• forthright

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• partial
• unjust
• partisan
• inequitable
• biased
• arbitrary
• unreasonable
• deceptive
• dishonest
• parti pris
• deceitful
• unconscionable
• ex parte
• one-sided
• prejudiced
• nonobjective
• colored
• unfriendly
• distorted
• unsympathetic
• warped
• jaundiced

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

• identical
• comparable
• similar
• equivalent
• same
• analogous
• coequal
• indistinguishable
• synonymous
• such
• corresponding
• duplicate
• matching
• much of a muchness
• parallel
• even
• like
• tantamount
• alike
• coordinate
• akin
• correspondent
• suchlike
• look-alike

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• other
• different
• dissimilar
• distinct
• unlike
• distinguishable
• diverse
• distant
• distinctive
• disparate
• nonidentical
• unalike
• differentiable
• various
• varied
• discriminable
• miscellaneous
• sundry
• divers

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

• suitable
• qualified
• capable
• good
• competent
• able
• fit
• expert
• experienced
• prepared
• ready
• skilled
• accomplished
• willing
• proficient
• adept
• skillful
• on the ball
• master
• masterly
• seasoned
• veteran
• practiced
• ace
• masterful
• apt
• trained
• versatile
• overqualified
• schooled
• all-around
• protean

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• poor
• unfit
• unqualified
• incompetent
• unskilled
• inept
• unfitted
• inexperienced
• new
• beginning
• unprepared
• green
• raw
• untrained
• inexpert
• unseasoned
• untested
• untried
• unskillful
• unschooled

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

• composed
• serene
• calm
• collected
• peaceful
• possessed
• level
• together
• tranquil
• smooth
• at peace
• undisturbed
• steady
• placid
• confident
• centered
• unperturbed
• recollected
• unshaken
• unruffled
• cool
• untroubled
• limpid
• relieved
• sedate
• unworried
• relaxed
• mellow
• equable
• well-balanced
• even
• self-possessed
• unshakable
• coolheaded
• self-composed
• nonchalant
• unflappable
• detached
• imperturbable
• indifferent
• assured
• well-adjusted
• easygoing
• dispassionate
• aloof
• carefree
• nerveless
• affable
• disciplined
• unconcerned
• sober
• bovine
• phlegmatic
• impassive
• even-keeled
• stolid
• breezy
• self-contained
• laid-back
• tranquilized
• loosey-goosey
• self-controlled
• self-assured
• devil-may-care
• happy-go-lucky

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• upset
• disturbed
• perturbed
• agitated
• anxious
• bothered
• unstrung
• uneasy
• worried
• unsettled
• distressed
• unhinged
• nervous
• unquiet
• restless
• discomposed
• tense
• unstable
• flustered
• unglued
• jittery
• jumpy
• uptight
• skittish
• high-strung

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

• equivalent
• counterpart
• partner
• parallel
• coordinate
• peer
• fellow
• coequal
• rival
• colleague
• match
• like
• compeer
• half
• competitor
• double
• companion
• analogue
• associate
• mate
• twin
• copartner

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

• match
• meet
• surpass
• tie
• better
• beat
• top
• approach
• touch
• transcend
• excel
• approximate
• outstrip
• outdo
• parallel
• outshine
• eclipse
• amount (to)
• rival
• outdistance
• measure up (to)
• overtop
• keep up
• stack up (against or with)

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

• mean
• come (to)
• correspond (to)
• amount (to)
• match
• emulate
• signify
• add up (to)
• measure (up)
• denote
• rival
• approach
• spell
• touch
• meet
• express
• suggest
• import
• connote
• smack (of)

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

• match
• parallel
• correspond (to)
• complement
• mirror
• conform (to)
• coordinate (with)
• supplement
• go (with)
• blend (with)
• counterbalance
• harmonize (with)
• echo
• rival
• come (to)
• near
• measure (up)
• counterpoise
• amount (to)
• add up (to)
• approach
• partake (of)
• repeat
• suggest
• image

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of equal

Adjective

The defense, meanwhile, argued that the pair, who had been dating for around a year, constituted equal partners. —Owen Clarke, Outside, 21 Feb. 2026

Use the Right Kind of Dish Soap Not all soaps are equal, and not all soaps are best for hand-washing dishes. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 21 Feb. 2026

Noun

This notion of the Swedish welfare state as having been built by equals, by an initial largely rural and poor population, arguably distracted these pensioners from questions of wealth accumulation. —Miranda Sheild Johansson, Fortune, 22 Jan. 2026

The wealth-equals-health dynamic played out glaringly in Orange County during the pandemic. —Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 9 Jan. 2026

Verb

In Milano Cortina, Hughes is tied for third in assists with six, equaling his childhood hero Duncan Keith for the most assists by a defenseman in a single Olympics tournament in the NHL era. —Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 21 Feb. 2026

The state’s current correctional system has a 40% vacancy rate which equals approximately 2800 vacant positions that has been vacant for the last six months. —Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026