equate

verb

i-ˈkwāt How to pronounce equate (audio)
Definition of equatenext
1
as in to compare
to regard or represent as equal or comparable a value system that equates money with success

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to refer
to describe as similar you're being silly when you equate the talent of that pop star with the musical genius of Mozart

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to balance
to make equal in amount, degree, or status you'll stop running up debts when you start equating what you spend with what you earn

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 equate Bob O’Brien, Counterpoint’s research director, also equates Mini LED with FALD. — ArsTechnica, 2 Oct. 2026 Its rankings have been criticized for various reasons – including the claim that these rankings equate academic quality with a school’s money. — Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 28 Sep. 2026 No serious person could reasonably equate the NFL draft process with an auction block. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026 Xi equates compromise with weakness and has a hard time understanding the give-a-little-to-get-a-little logic that is the heart and soul of diplomacy. — Orville Schell, Foreign Affairs, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for equate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for equate
  1. compare
  2. balance
  3. adjust
  4. equalize
  5. compensate
  6. accommodate
Verb
  • Fifty percent plan to increase investment, compared with 18% of boomer owners, and 71% expect revenue growth, versus 51% of their older peers.
    — Muskaan Arshad, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
  • For instance, Siri’s lack of thinking power compared with other ultra-smart AI agents means that there’s far less of a chance of going rogue, or behaving in eerie ways.
    — Andrew R. Chow, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of compare
Verb
  • The California Coastal Act just turned 50, balancing sensible development with conservation and public access.
    — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Adding mozzarella and Parmesan creates a salty, extra cheesy base while tomato sauce balances the richness with some acidity.
    — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of balance
Verb
  • The simple industrial design gets a neat little accent in the form of a physical knob for adjusting playback, track navigation, and volume.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The first-year Falcons head coach also does not believe the game plan will need to be adjusted heading into the matchup with the Bears.
    — Chantz Martin OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of adjust
Verb
  • However, Saba Goglichidze pulled one back for Monza right at the start of the second half and the visitors had several chances to equalize before Andrea Pinamonti sealed the match late on.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026
  • That lead would not last long, as Kansas City equalized in the 39th minute.
    — Spencer Baldwin, Denver Post, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of equalize
Verb
  • In which case, who is ultimately on the hook to compensate any victims?
    — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Government spending remains well above its peers in the politically sensitive realm of social protections, particularly pensions and healthcare, while tepid economic growth has failed to compensate.
    — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of compensate
Verb
  • Karen is newly sober, newly released, and seemingly determined to approach this chapter of her life with an earnestness that the rest of the cast may not be emotionally equipped to accommodate.
    — Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Open Doors plans to accommodate 80 clients at the shelter with staff on-site 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
    — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of accommodate

Browse Nearby Words

equanimity
equate
equated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Equate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equate. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 16
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All