equivalent 1 of 2

Definition of equivalentnext
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
Only gauging team climate once a year is the equivalent of testing oxygen annually. — Nilton Bernini, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2026 Painting your nails and toes with one of these rich, lite-goth colors is the beauty equivalent of turning off the air conditioning and ordering a pumpkin spice latte. — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 18 Sep. 2026
Adjective
Trump also noted that the technology could eventually have an economic impact equivalent to as much as 25% of US GDP, while emphasizing the importance of maintaining the country’s position in the competition with China. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2026 Measured as equivalent width, the inner ring gained about 10 times more than the outer ring lost. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 19 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for equivalent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for equivalent
Noun
  • Trump and his wife spoke to their counterparts, but their words could not be heard.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Sep. 2026
  • This animal, just like its 22-year-old whitetail and blacktail counterparts, was a complete anomaly.
    — Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 24 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • National Hurricane Center data shows that Polo has reached speeds comparable to only a few hurricanes to form in the region in recent decades, primarily Hurricane Patricia in 2015, which reached 215 mph.
    — DESIREE BROOKS, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Fusion signatures face scrutiny The researchers also found temperature differences between the active reactor and a calibration device operating under comparable input-power conditions.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The researchers also demonstrated communication across different parts of the body, including devices positioned deep inside the stomach.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026
  • More information may reveal that the situation is smaller, different, or less yours than expected.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 25 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • And then there’s my father’s brother and somebody else, a business partner.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Waltz said the administration wants to hear directly from its Gulf partners about their concerns, describing the collective meeting as an important diplomatic opportunity.
    — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The senator said the Food and Drug Administration's model of pharmaceutical regulation is analogous to the AI debate.
    — Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026
  • In some ways, shorebirds are analogous to the wolves that hunt the deer and elk populations that eat the tree saplings that become the trees that beavers use to build dams that help the fish—and so on.
    — Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • In other cases, Virginia prosecutors have previously brought their own expert witnesses to counter an insanity defense at trials or even disputed the claims without their own expert, according to reports and court records.
    — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Even though the analysis adjusted for several potential confounding factors, other unmeasured factors could still contribute to the observed relationship.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Its board was drawn from the same captains of industry—bankers, retailers, insurance men—who would have occupied such positions in any similar synagogue.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Simons and the Italian designer share a similar aesthetic hinged on modernism and occasionally futurism and even provocation.
    — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Applicants will have to register with the secretary of state, document a threat within the past year and receive a substitute address that government agencies must generally accept.
    — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The bill would provide participants in the program with a substitute address, shielding their personal information and rerouting their mail through the Secretary of State.
    — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 21 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Equivalent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equivalent. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

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