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
With too few people and too little time to sift through it all, METR used AI itself to analyze its findings, burning the equivalent of $400,000 in API credits supplied by OpenAI during their six on-site days. Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026 That’s the equivalent of a year-and-a-half of full-time work, just to help a local theater. Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
Adjective
Luminate reports that Around the Fur shifted 10,650 equivalent units in the most recent tracking period. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 So in Love, debuted atop the Billboard 200 in June with 485,000 equivalent album units — the biggest week of her career and the largest week of 2026 for any solo artist. Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for equivalent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for equivalent
Noun
  • There are lots of brands that have worked to give us beautiful soft mattes that glide onto lids and don’t feel patchy or heavy like their previous counterparts.
    Elle Turner, Glamour, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Their counterparts, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), have not said anything to mark six months of the war.
    Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 28 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Guarducci also noted the strength of the market, adding that Beverly Hills restaurants can generate volumes 20 to 30 percent higher than comparable New York locations.
    Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Predicting Murray’s ceiling in Minnesota is comparable to predicting the weather.
    Alec Lewis, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The system administrator should have different capabilities than a patrol officer.
    Irene Wright, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Chaparral features interchangeable cargo pods, enabling operators to adapt the aircraft for different missions without altering its core platform.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Along with performances from Chappell Roan, Doechii and more, the festival provided a space where attendees could connect directly with the festival’s nonprofit partners and hear more about the issues and communities at the center of their work.
    Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026
  • FanDuel is the exclusive sports betting partner of The Ringer.
    Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 2 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Astronomers are finding that in between the brightest stars, the 'tallest skyscrapers' in the above analogy, there are much fainter stars analogous to smaller buildings.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • War weariness on the rise Ukrainian experts say the logic of hitting largely consumer targets is in part retribution for analogous Russian attacks, and that disrupted supply chains affect the military as well.
    Fred Weir, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Yes, Minteh and Sarr both operate on the right and buying one of them arguably would have provided a better balance to Iraola’s attacking department given that his other wide players prefer the left flank.
    James Pearce, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • That happened again when the five other conservatives – but not Roberts and the three liberals − said the administration could slash hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of health research funding.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Newlight projects annual savings of roughly $500,000 for similar ships.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026
  • German power infrastructure has previously been affected under similar circumstances.
    ABC News, ABC News, 2 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 4 Sep. 2026.

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