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
Each new Kroger Marketplace, exceeding 120,000 square feet -- or the equivalent of two and a half football fields -- costs about $40 million. Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 9 Jan. 2026 As of Thursday, California’s statewide snow-water equivalent stood at about 91% of normal for the date and a little over a third of the April 1 average, according to the Department of Water Resources. Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
The need for crypto ATMs has declined domestically, according to Strasser, as many people who hold bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies are not using them in a cash-equivalent manner. Kevin Williams, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026 The term refers to snow-water equivalent readings that fall below the 20th percentile. Denise Chow, NBC news, 9 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for equivalent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for equivalent
Noun
  • Western counterparts often acknowledge them privately, even as public backlash from some European institutions and media figures ensued against Rubio’s candor.
    Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
  • The picks were something of a surprise considering the turret is usually filled with Survivor and Big Brother players (who are generally better versed in reality competition gaming strategy than their Bravo counterparts).
    Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Unlike 1979, when much of the clergy united behind Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini against the Shah, today’s clerical establishment has no comparable unanimity.
    Narges Bajoghli, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
  • By brand, comparable sales for the eight weeks versus the same year-ago quarter saw its Journeys Group gain 12 percent.
    Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Thousands of people took to the streets of downtown Los Angeles on Saturday afternoon to protest federal immigration activity after agents were involved in two different shootings this week, one that left a woman dead in Minneapolis and another that wounded two people in Portland, Oregon.
    Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Just like its jogger counterpart, this hoodie comes in three different lengths and is carried up to a size 3XL.
    Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Privacy and partners Lenovo built Qira using a hybrid AI architecture.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Jan. 2026
  • They were accompanied by K9 units and partners from the Costa Mesa Police Department, which provided drone support, according to the IPD.
    Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The story positions the protagonist’s work as analogous to nurturing a child.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026
  • The international sphere faces analogous pressures.
    Klaus Schwab, Time, 5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Newsom is certainly right that California is a great state and an economic engine unmatched by other states.
    Sal Rodriguez, Oc Register, 9 Jan. 2026
  • To address the problem, water managers many years ago lowered the levels, but the tree islands never recovered, leaving ghosts of islands that lack the elevation to support the majestic hardwoods found in other parts of the Everglades, such as cypress, pond apple and pop ash trees.
    Amy Green, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • In response to Amber's heart-wrenching case, a Texas mom named Diana Simone had the idea to create an emergency system for abducted children, similar to a weather or civil defense alert.
    Emily Krauser, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
  • Yet many divorces follow a similar trajectory, and most of the feelings women experience during that process are universal.
    Oona Metz, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Coulibaly only made four substitute appearances for Partick.
    Jay Harris, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2026
  • Parents can also anticipate which meals and settings are truly challenging for their child and bring a substitute safe meal for the child to consume while at a holiday feast.
    Dr. Ellen S. Rome, Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Equivalent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equivalent. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

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