equatorial

adjective

ˌē-kwə-ˈtȯr-ē-əl How to pronounce equatorial (audio)
Definition of equatorialnext
as in tropical
being near the equator a lush equatorial rain forest that is threatened by rampant development

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 equatorial During El Nino, westward-blowing trade winds across the western equatorial Pacific weaken, allowing warmer water to move east toward North and South America. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026 That allows hotter and higher seas to slosh from the far western equatorial Pacific — like Indonesia — east to a normally cooler part of the ocean near Peru, Amaya said. — Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026 As a result, the eastern equatorial Pacific is typically cool, while the western equatorial Pacific is warm. — Justine Calma, The Verge, 6 Oct. 2026 The snake was far from its normal home, the rainforests of equatorial Africa. — Victor Mather, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for equatorial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for equatorial
  1. tropical
  2. subtropical
Adjective
  • The flooding is just the latest episode in two months of on-and-off heavy rain in the region caused by tropical moisture coming ashore from the Pacific.
    — Anna Wilder, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • An area of high pressure over the Northeast, combined with a non-tropical low-pressure system in the Atlantic, are creating a corridor of persistent winds blowing onshore over the Southeast coast.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of tropical
Adjective
  • The plant has been introduced to the tropical and subtropical climatic regions of Australia and North and South America.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The warmer waters often invite tropical and subtropical species.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of subtropical

Browse Nearby Words

equator
equatorial
equators
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Cite this Entry

“Equatorial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equatorial. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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