EQUIVALENT Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

equivalent 1 of 2

noun

Definition of equivalent

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

as in comparable

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

as in different

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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

Check Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > App data usage, or your manufacturer's equivalent, to investigate unusual data consumption. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026 The high costs are associated with fuel shortages stemming from the war in Iran, and, on Thursday, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government announced the equivalent of $200 million to cover gas prices. — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Oct. 2026

Adjective

Applicants must be at least 18 years old and possess a high school diploma or equivalent. — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 18 Oct. 2026 Research does not yet provide an equivalent step count recommendation for our pets. — Will Boyd, Baltimore Sun, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for equivalent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for equivalent

Noun

Beatrice is Nick’s reflection at Cathcarts, while Smallwood’s counterpart is Serena.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
In another warning sign for Republicans, Kansas’ Democratic gubernatorial nominee Cindy Holscher and Senate nominee Adam Hamilton both narrowly led their Republican counterparts, within the poll’s margin of error.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of counterpart

Adjective

The physiological case for a brief dunk is, by her own account, comparable.

— Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2026
According to Inception, Mercury 3 is more than 40 times larger than its first-generation model, Mercury 1, while maintaining comparable processing speeds.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of comparable

Adjective

Kwan’s push to expand the family office’s geographical footprint correlates with global wealth flows, as HNWIs worldwide look to diversify their assets across different geographies.

— Angelica Ang, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
The result offers researchers a different way to approach quantum material design.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of different

Noun

Research partners recorded the various sounds that drones make when their propellers get chipped or cracked or their motor becomes damaged or begins to fail.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2026
Investigators are working with Nigeria and international partners to review genomic findings and verify her movements and interactions in Uganda and en route to Abuja.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of partner

Adjective

Canada retaliated with its own set of near-analogous duties on more than $20 billion in American goods in early September.

— Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
Bayzo's pub is analogous to an English tavern, with creamy cups of clam chowder and a piano likely to launch you into Elton John renditions.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of analogous

Adjective

But his planning doesn’t mean that the tax would survive the courts, and in any case, not every billionaire will necessarily make similar arrangements.

— Ramesh Ponnuru, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
Garshick told Prevention that stacking actives carries similar risks.

— Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of similar

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

Definition of substitute

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equivalency

equivalent

equivalently

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Style

“Equivalent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equivalent. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of equivalent

noun

adjective

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Example Sentences

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'The Grammatical Equivalent Of...'

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