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
Serving more than one million Sacramento County residents, the EchoWater plant is the equivalent of 18 football fields in size, Dobson said. Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026 Researchers at Yale University found that Babbel learners who completed a semester-equivalent of Spanish study—about 15 hours—saw their oral proficiency improve by 100% in three months. Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 3 June 2026
Adjective
The partnership resulted in the implementation of energy efficiency measures across the HVAC and lighting systems that are projected to reduce carbon emissions by an amount equivalent to avoiding the import of approximately 7,200 barrels of oil. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026 The Harvard Apple Women’s Health Study noted in a May 2025 update that women who exercise regularly show lower all-cause mortality than male counterparts at equivalent activity levels. Allison Palmer june 4, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for equivalent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for equivalent
Noun
  • The neighborhood/area Bilbao has an industrial character that is both more modern and more traditional than its popular counterpart, San Sebastián, and the Artist sits in the revitalized upper edge of the Abando District.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 June 2026
  • The head is brown to black and has several ivory to yellowish spots, which helps separate it from its native counterpart, the smoke-tree sharpshooter.
    Seamus Bozeman Follow, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
Adjective
  • Alvarado, who has comparable stature to Brunson, was wrapped up by Wembanyama and thrown away from the play.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026
  • Winner may not substitute, assign or transfer Prize or redeem Prize for cash, but Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to substitute Prize (or portion thereof) with one of comparable or greater value.
    AJC.com, AJC.com, 8 June 2026
Adjective
  • The unexpected move comes just days after Anthropic announced Fable 5 and Mythos 5, two powerful models that the company touted as state-of-the-art across a number of different industry benchmarks.
    Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 13 June 2026
  • Each ticket costs $5, and players may pick six numbers from two separate pools of numbers - five different numbers from 1 to 70 (the white balls) and one number from 1 to 24 (the gold Mega Ball) - or select Easy Pick/Quick Pick.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 13 June 2026
Noun
  • First on the stand on Thursday was Mark Porter, who works as a forensic video analyst with the Tarrant County district attorney’s office, according to Star-Telegram media partner WFAA-TV.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 June 2026
  • But don’t assume every potential dating partner is out to get you.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 6 June 2026
Adjective
  • StubHub said the demand for Game 3 tickets at MSG is analogous to the Super Bowl.
    Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 4 June 2026
  • Despite the analogous finals matchup, some components of modern life in 2026 may look unfamiliar to the time traveler, while other scenes may strike a similar chord.
    ABC News, ABC News, 3 June 2026
Adjective
  • This article was generated by the Bay Area Home Report Bot, software that analyzes home sales or other data and creates an article based on a template created by humans.
    Bay Area Home Report, Mercury News, 9 June 2026
  • Sony is underway on a search for a new star and other cast members.
    Pat Saperstein, Variety, 9 June 2026
Adjective
  • Mexico is hoping to receive a similar spark this summer from its own 17-year-old phenom, the midfielder Gilberto Mora.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 12 June 2026
  • The finding mirrors similar investigations into medical schools at UCLA and UC San Diego.
    Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
Adjective
  • Morrison pushed back, making a substitute motion to adopt the budget as presented by staff and revisit the item in August.
    Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026
  • Many substitute compact sand, faux turf, or clay blends.
    Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 3 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Equivalent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equivalent. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.

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