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
Taylor Trensch chatted with Slanted Floors actor Kyle Beltran while wearing the footie-pajama equivalent of jeans and boots. — The Editors, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026 The order exempts stops at ports of entry, checkpoints and other functional equivalents of the border. — Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Note on choosing filters EPA guidance recommends MERV13 or equivalent filters for the best experience. — John Alexander, Popular Science, 1 Nov. 2026 The deluxe reissue sold 78,000 equivalent album units across over 20 formats and variants combined to take the top spot, Billboard reports. — Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for equivalent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for equivalent
Noun
  • Featuring exteriors by Hydro Tec and interiors by Hot Lab, the yacht offers generous living areas across four decks with a distinctive configuration that sets it apart from 100-foot counterparts.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 6 Nov. 2026
  • But Stateside arenas, like their football stadium counterparts, are apparently less than enthused to book the rapper over his pro-Palestine comments.
    — Alex Suskind, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • According to the cooperative, its Co+op Basics products, of which Field Day is a part, already offer prices up to 30% lower than comparable name-brand organic, natural, fair trade and non-GMO products.
    — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • That puts Samsung roughly $100 below Apple at comparable storage levels.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Its ability to clean floors, walls, waterlines and slopes gives it versatility across different cleaning requirements, while the dual filtration system and large debris basket support longer cleaning sessions.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Nov. 2026
  • He was considered odd, super-smart with a photographic memory, and yet different.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Starting first with a country club and then adding more planned developments, Soffer and his partners then transformed nearly 800 acres of swampland into what’s now Aventura.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The floppy chains bend and stretch to reach nearby partners as opposite charges attract.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Thelema included three principal gods — Nuit, Hadit, and Ra Hoor Khuit — who are described as being analogous to the ancient Egyptian gods Isis, Osiris, and Horus.
    — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Op de Beeck lauds it as an icon of midcentury design analogous to an Eames chair, and the product of exacting skill and patience.
    — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Tellingly, most other states give local governments this ability.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
  • His church, the Church of the Resurrection, was at the forefront of efforts to make the United Methodist Church more inclusive to LGBTQ congregants, but many other churches supported the change.
    — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • American officials told the Wall Street Journal that Washington had conducted similar attacks secretly in recent weeks.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Similarly, high-risk activities like mountain climbing, skydiving or something similar won't typically be covered (unless specific add-on coverage is included and paid for before traveling).
    — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Six nonverbal autistic students were missing for hours before arriving at a Brooklyn school more than four hours late after a substitute bus driver got lost, according to a city investigation.
    — Doug Williams, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • With zero acting gigs on the horizon and weary of taking handouts from Tori, Trina returns to Hollywood Arts for a substitute teaching position.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Equivalent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equivalent. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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