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Definition of equalnext
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equal

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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

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verb

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

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
Architect Arjun Joshy, by his own admission, is a connoisseur of design and mangoes, in roughly equal measure. Vaishnavi Nayel Talawadekar, Architectural Digest, 24 May 2026 Both the stoop and the pull-out depend on equal parts power and restraint. Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
Noun
Even a 6% discrepancy in funding (which is roughly what the $135 million shortfall equals) ends up being an enormous amount of money. John Romano, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026 Before the leagues’ recent expansions prior to the 2024 season, the SEC was merely the top conference among equals in producing NFL talent. Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
Happy staff can equal happy patients. Julia Kappler, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026 As a rule of thumb, the CADR of your air cleaner should equal at least two-thirds of the room’s square footage. Ryan Brennan may 18, Kansas City Star, 18 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for equal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for equal
Adjective
  • Your website talks about the lack of equitable health care in communities of color in southeastern San Diego.
    Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 May 2026
  • Circuit breaker tax credits, which tie property taxes to people’s ability to pay, can be a successful and equitable way to make buying a home more affordable.
    Amanda Nothaft, The Conversation, 22 May 2026
Adjective
  • Researchers have searched for repeating structures within it, such as identical circular arrangements that would indicate a compact universe.
    Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 23 May 2026
  • The Rooms While no two rooms are identical, there are consistent design features and a compelling musical theme throughout.
    Lindsey Tramuta, Travel + Leisure, 23 May 2026
Adjective
  • The days of that being a suitable workaround might be in the rearview mirror.
    Antonio Morales, New York Times, 28 May 2026
  • When sediment flow is disrupted, riverbeds can be simplified and less suitable for spawning, while altered temperatures and flow reduce habitat diversity.
    Radina Gigova, CNN Money, 27 May 2026
Adjective
  • Americans have known Fox News’s Kayleigh McEnany as the composed woman behind the podium, forcefully defending administration policy in the White House briefing room, sparring with reporters on live television, or navigating the relentless pressures of national politics.
    Kiara Moore, The Washington Examiner, 17 May 2026
  • McIlroy overcame some early inconsistency to put together a composed round, while Burns leaned on excellent ball-striking to match him at the top.
    Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • That’s basically the equivalent of how much data Formula 1 moves every single race weekend.
    John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
  • Special shout-out to the writers’ room for giving us a high-tension cold open and then segueing immediately post-credits to the Titan equivalent of a family road trip where Mom and Dad are pedantic geniuses arguing over what route to take to the beach.
    Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 22 May 2026
Verb
  • Detectives followed up and obtained surveillance footage of individuals who matched the description of the suspects and their cars near the crime scene, police said.
    Jason Green, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
  • Best Women’s Clothing Deals My favorite part of traveling, besides the destination itself, is curating the ultimate travel wardrobe that perfectly matches the vibe of the trip.
    Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 29 May 2026
Verb
  • Manchester City are coming to terms with life after Pep Guardiola — but that does not mean their days of dominance are coming to an end.
    Dean Jones, New York Times, 28 May 2026
  • Which means that Sula Mae Peace means Peace Peace, which is a kind of wonderful ironic doubling because this is not a peaceful clan of people.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 May 2026
Verb
  • Even though the race generally parallels Interstate 70, runners seldom notice the highway.
    John Meyer, Denver Post, 20 May 2026
  • Israel’s traditional response to the events of 1948—that the displacement of Palestinians was a tragic consequence of a war Arab states started, and that it was paralleled by the expulsion of roughly 850,000 Jews from Arab countries—is true, but inadequate.
    Michael W. Sonnenfeldt, The Atlantic, 20 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Equal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equal. Accessed 29 May. 2026.

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