equivalent 1 of 2

noun

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

Relevance

equivalent

2 of 2

adjective

1
as in comparable

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in different

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Adjective
Current Russian President Vladimir Putin revived the Mother Heroine award in 2022, also throwing in a payment of 1 million rubles, equivalent to more than $12,000. —Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 22 Apr. 2025 That’s roughly equivalent to the electricity needed to power 4.4 million homes for a day. —Umair Irfan, Vox, 21 Apr. 2025 Units comprise album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA). —Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 21 Apr. 2025 So, there’s a strongly interacting quantum system that has an equivalent description in terms of equations that look like gravity. —Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 17 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for equivalent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for equivalent
  1. counterpart
  2. comparable
  3. different
  4. analogous
  5. other
  6. similar
  7. corresponding
  8. alternative
Noun
  • In Harvard’s 2017 and 2020 youth polls, congressional Democrats had significantly higher approval ratings than their GOP counterparts or Trump.
    — Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The British Foreign Office confirmed that ministerial Ukraine peace talks with U.S. and European counterparts were postponed and downgraded to behind-the-scenes meetings with officials.
    — Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 23 Apr. 2025
Definition of counterpart
Adjective
  • When looking at gaming, the gender split for recent Super Mario Bros game releases was comparable to that of its feature film.
    — Brad Adgate, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • One league executive said Malonga’s talent is comparable to presumptive No. 1 pick, UConn star Paige Bueckers, even if her public profile isn’t.
    — Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of comparable
Adjective
  • Pope Francis preached the same gospel in different language.
    — John Hope Bryant, Time, 21 Apr. 2025
  • The ability of the government to cross-reference personal information using databases from different agencies is tightly regulated under the US Privacy Act.
    — Dell Cameron, Wired News, 21 Apr. 2025
Definition of different
Adjective
  • This is analogous to our preventative and detective cybersecurity tools.
    — James Blake, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
  • Efforts to deny the indigenous peoples of the Andes access to coca, as Smithsonian anthropologist Catherine Allen has written, are not analogous to outlawing, for example, beer in Germany, coffee in the Middle East, or betel chewing in India.
    — Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of analogous
Adjective
  • The president and his administration accuse Harvard, among other universities, of allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus, endangering Jewish students.
    — Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The trip to Brentford is little more than a lower mid-table meeting, but United’s other three engagements could have more riding on them.
    — Mark Critchley, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of other
Adjective
  • Three other states – Louisiana, New Hampshire and Wyoming – have enacted similar laws in recent months.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Wracked with guilt over Su-ho’s injuries, Si-eun enters Weak Hero Class 2 determined not to let another friend suffer a similar, gruesome fate.
    — Kayti Burt, Time, 26 Apr. 2025
Definition of similar
Adjective
  • Population growth brings with it a corresponding rise in both point source and non-point source pollution, placing additional strain on our water systems.
    — Kate Marijolovic, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
  • The Twins have not yet announced a corresponding roster move.
    — Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 16 Apr. 2025
Definition of corresponding
Adjective
  • The ranking blends all major forms of consumption — sales, streams, and radio airplay — to show which tracks in the rock and alternative spheres are performing best in the U.S.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Peanut butter eggs One Easter egg alternative recipe has gone viral on social media.
    — Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of alternative

Browse Nearby Words

equivalency
equivalent
equivalently
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Cite this Entry

“Equivalent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equivalent. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

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