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
Noun
The cost off the showroom floor 52 years ago was $7,680, which is equivalent to $58,000 in 2024. Laura Lane, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025 There were a lot of differing positions on immigration—and not expressed with a similar, much less equivalent, hatred. David Remnick, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
It is also being sent to represent Mexico at Spain’s Oscar equivalent, the Goyas. Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025 Forensic examinations of the equivalent of 100,000 cell phones worth of data is underway. Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for equivalent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for equivalent
Noun
  • While black women were more likely to die from any kind of breast cancer, for certain types of breast cancer black women had up to a 50% higher risk of dying than their white counterparts.
    Dr. Noor Shaik, ABC News, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Polis has sought to avoid public fights with the federal government over immigration, unlike his more publicly defiant counterparts in Illinois and California.
    Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Below deck, the power plant can crank out 198 kWe for sensors and weapon systems – that's twice the payload space and electrical power of a comparable autonomous vessel.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 28 Sep. 2025
  • These simulations suggest that methane could be released at a rate of a few hundred kilograms per second, making the level of activity comparable to the water plumes on Saturn's ocean moon Enceladus.
    Andrew Jones, Space.com, 28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Vachon even posed the question of whether working with major brands is all that different from banking on cash rebates that stipulate certain creative conditions, such as having heads of department who come from the countries providing the relief.
    Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Each course is dispatched from a different stall downstairs.
    Clarissa Wei, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • There’s an analogous cool-verging-on-blasé lyrical delivery set off by animalesque saxophones.
    Rumaan Alam, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Most faculty serve a probationary period of five to seven years before they are granted tenure, a milestone somewhat analogous to reaching partnership in a law firm.
    John Drake, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette maintains full editorial control over this article and all other coverage.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The Harvest Moon is the full moon closest to the fall equinox and has several other names.
    Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • To some market watchers, Nvidia’s latest deals feel all-too-similar to the excesses of past technology booms.
    Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Gracie wore a purple halter dress similar to the ensemble the singer wore on her Speak Now tour, and Gomez donned the iconic Folklore cardigan.
    Julia Meehan, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • On a whim, the 30-year-old applied for several school positions — from cafeteria worker to custodian — including one for a substitute bus driver, despite having zero experience behind the wheel of a bus.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The 30-year-old has gone from being fourth-choice goalkeeper at Wolves, making one substitute appearance in his two seasons at Molineux, to third-choice at Everton.
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Rankings for the Top Movie Songs chart are based on song and film data provided by Tunefind and ranked using a formula blending that data with sales and streaming information tracked by Luminate during the corresponding period of August 2025.
    Kevin Rutherford, Billboard, 26 Sep. 2025
  • However, one of the corresponding moves was the team designating Alek Manoah for assignment.
    Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Equivalent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equivalent. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

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