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Some common synonyms of equal<\/em> are equivalent<\/em><\/a>, identical<\/em><\/a>, same<\/em><\/a>, selfsame<\/em><\/a>, and very<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"not different or not differing from one another,\" equal<\/em> implies being identical in value, magnitude, or some specified quality.<\/p>

\/\/ equal<\/em> shares in the business<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When might 'equivalent' be a better fit than 'equal'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words equivalent<\/em><\/a> and equal<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, equivalent<\/em> implies amounting to the same thing in worth or significance.<\/p>

\/\/ two houses equivalent<\/em> in market value<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is 'identical' a more appropriate choice than 'equal'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The synonyms identical<\/em><\/a> and equal<\/em> are sometimes interchangeable, but identical<\/em> may imply selfsameness or suggest absolute agreement in all details.<\/p>

\/\/ identical<\/em> results<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How are the words 'same' and 'selfsame' related as synonyms of 'equal'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Same<\/em><\/a> may imply and selfsame<\/em><\/a> always implies that the things under consideration are one thing and not two or more things.<\/p>

\/\/ took the same<\/em> route<\/p>

\/\/ derived from the selfsame<\/em> source<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does the word 'very' relate to other synonyms for 'equal'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Very<\/em><\/a>, like selfsame<\/em><\/a>, may imply identity, or, like same<\/em><\/a> may imply likeness in kind.<\/p>

\/\/ the very<\/em> point I was trying to make<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How is the word 'equal' different from other adjectives like it?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Some common synonyms of equal<\/em> are equivalent<\/em><\/a>, identical<\/em><\/a>, same<\/em><\/a>, selfsame<\/em><\/a>, and very<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"not different or not differing from one another,\" equal<\/em> implies being identical in value, magnitude, or some specified quality.<\/p>

\/\/ equal<\/em> shares in the business<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When might 'equivalent' be a better fit than 'equal'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words equivalent<\/em><\/a> and equal<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, equivalent<\/em> implies amounting to the same thing in worth or significance.<\/p>

\/\/ two houses equivalent<\/em> in market value<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is 'identical' a more appropriate choice than 'equal'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The synonyms identical<\/em><\/a> and equal<\/em> are sometimes interchangeable, but identical<\/em> may imply selfsameness or suggest absolute agreement in all details.<\/p>

\/\/ identical<\/em> results<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How are the words 'same' and 'selfsame' related as synonyms of 'equal'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Same<\/em><\/a> may imply and selfsame<\/em><\/a> always implies that the things under consideration are one thing and not two or more things.<\/p>

\/\/ took the same<\/em> route<\/p>

\/\/ derived from the selfsame<\/em> source<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does the word 'very' relate to other synonyms for 'equal'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Very<\/em><\/a>, like selfsame<\/em><\/a>, may imply identity, or, like same<\/em><\/a> may imply likeness in kind.<\/p>

\/\/ the very<\/em> point I was trying to make<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How is the word 'equal' different from other adjectives like it?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Some common synonyms of equal<\/em> are equivalent<\/em><\/a>, identical<\/em><\/a>, same<\/em><\/a>, selfsame<\/em><\/a>, and very<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"not different or not differing from one another,\" equal<\/em> implies being identical in value, magnitude, or some specified quality.<\/p>

\/\/ equal<\/em> shares in the business<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When might 'equivalent' be a better fit than 'equal'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words equivalent<\/em><\/a> and equal<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, equivalent<\/em> implies amounting to the same thing in worth or significance.<\/p>

\/\/ two houses equivalent<\/em> in market value<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is 'identical' a more appropriate choice than 'equal'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The synonyms identical<\/em><\/a> and equal<\/em> are sometimes interchangeable, but identical<\/em> may imply selfsameness or suggest absolute agreement in all details.<\/p>

\/\/ identical<\/em> results<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How are the words 'same' and 'selfsame' related as synonyms of 'equal'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Same<\/em><\/a> may imply and selfsame<\/em><\/a> always implies that the things under consideration are one thing and not two or more things.<\/p>

\/\/ took the same<\/em> route<\/p>

\/\/ derived from the selfsame<\/em> source<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does the word 'very' relate to other synonyms for 'equal'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Very<\/em><\/a>, like selfsame<\/em><\/a>, may imply identity, or, like same<\/em><\/a> may imply likeness in kind.<\/p>

\/\/ the very<\/em> point I was trying to make<\/p>" } } ] }

equal 1 of 3

adjective

ˈē-kwÉ™l How to pronounce equal (audio)
Definition of equalnext
1
as in equitable
marked by justice, honesty, and freedom from bias the basic belief that everyone is entitled to equal opportunity in employment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in identical
resembling another in every respect as far as I can see, except for the high price, the store-brand jacket is equal to the jacket with the designer label

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in suitable
having the required skills for an acceptable level of performance looking for someone equal to the challenge of running a large state university

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in composed
free from emotional or mental agitation he proceeded, in an equal tone, to recount the terrible events of the day

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

equal

2 of 3

noun

as in equivalent
one that is equal to another in status, achievement, or value a basketball player who truly has no equal in his sport

Synonyms & Similar Words

equal

3 of 3

verb

1
as in to match
to produce something equal to (as in quality or value) no one has equaled Shakespeare's plays

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to mean
to be the same in meaning or effect being confined to home for a whole weekend would equal a death sentence in the minds of a lot of teens

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to parallel
to be the exact counterpart of in the British system a public school equals an American prep school

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word equal different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of equal are equivalent, identical, same, selfsame, and very. While all these words mean "not different or not differing from one another," equal implies being identical in value, magnitude, or some specified quality.

equal shares in the business

When might equivalent be a better fit than equal?

In some situations, the words equivalent and equal are roughly equivalent. However, equivalent implies amounting to the same thing in worth or significance.

two houses equivalent in market value

When is identical a more appropriate choice than equal?

The synonyms identical and equal are sometimes interchangeable, but identical may imply selfsameness or suggest absolute agreement in all details.

identical results

How are the words same and selfsame related as synonyms of equal?

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 equal?

Very, like selfsame, may imply identity, or, like same may imply likeness in kind.

the very point I was trying to make

How is the word equal different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of equal are equivalent, identical, same, selfsame, and very. While all these words mean "not different or not differing from one another," equal implies being identical in value, magnitude, or some specified quality.

equal shares in the business

When might equivalent be a better fit than equal?

In some situations, the words equivalent and equal are roughly equivalent. However, equivalent implies amounting to the same thing in worth or significance.

two houses equivalent in market value

When is identical a more appropriate choice than equal?

The synonyms identical and equal are sometimes interchangeable, but identical may imply selfsameness or suggest absolute agreement in all details.

identical results

How are the words same and selfsame related as synonyms of equal?

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 equal?

Very, like selfsame, may imply identity, or, like same may imply likeness in kind.

the very point I was trying to make

How is the word equal different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of equal are equivalent, identical, same, selfsame, and very. While all these words mean "not different or not differing from one another," equal implies being identical in value, magnitude, or some specified quality.

equal shares in the business

When might equivalent be a better fit than equal?

In some situations, the words equivalent and equal are roughly equivalent. However, equivalent implies amounting to the same thing in worth or significance.

two houses equivalent in market value

When is identical a more appropriate choice than equal?

The synonyms identical and equal are sometimes interchangeable, but identical may imply selfsameness or suggest absolute agreement in all details.

identical results

How are the words same and selfsame related as synonyms of equal?

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 equal?

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 equal
Adjective
Abelowitz practices in an area with about an equal mix of Republicans and Democrats. —Laura Ungar, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026 That's equal to about six days' worth of normal shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, or slightly more than one day's worth of global consumption of about 101 million barrels per day. —Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
Noun
Yet given the power differential between China and Canada—or, for that matter, between China and any NATO ally other than the United States—such a partnership will not be among equals. —Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2026 In the courtroom, Waldman has few equals. —William Jones, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
Verb
In 2024, an average of 20 million barrels a day traveled through the strait, equaling about 20% of global petroleum liquids consumption. —Saige Miller, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026 If in any fiscal year the total amount of credits awarded equals or exceeds 90% of the annual cap, the cap for the next fiscal year would increase by $50 million. —Beth Wallis, StateImpact, 18 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for equal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for equal
  1. equitable
  2. identical
  3. suitable
  4. composed
  5. equivalent
  6. match
  7. mean
  8. parallel
Adjective
  • The Social Security Administration projects that simply removing the cap on Social Security taxes would solve the underfunding problem in a way that is equitable and would lead to benefit increases overall.
    — DP Opinion, Denver Post, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Friedman, an Arlington Democrat and chair of the Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions, proposed a Solomonic, split-the-difference approach, suggesting that competing interests find a way to reach an equitable solution.
    — Boston Herald editorial staff, Boston Herald, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of equitable
Adjective
  • Their hair is the same color and the beat is identical, which is particularly impressive given that Jane had the oldest skin to work with.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Collaboration tools like Live Share allow developers to edit and debug code together in real time without needing identical local environments.
    — StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of identical
Adjective
  • Hundreds of people could work in the building, which is described as a site that’s suitable for industrial, logistics, warehouse, and distribution activities.
    — George Avalos, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
  • But there are twice as many single women as men in the LDS faith, making finding a suitable husband to marry and have babies with yet another competition.
    — Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of suitable
Adjective
  • What caught my attention, however, beyond the lip-syncing and costume changes, was the family opposite me: the mother neat and composed, father in golf-course polo and chinos, two thirty-something sons cheering alongside a girlfriend who would not look out of place on a pageant stage.
    — Sophie Morgan, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Before Tuesday night, Konate had looked much more composed and commanding.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Definition of composed
Noun
  • Yet the shows have done the TV equivalent of posting through it, making gestures of concern toward cleaning up their acts while cynically leveraging the drama surrounding the franchise’s small and large scandals to rev up interest and drive viewers to their screens.
    — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Larijani comes from a political dynasty referred to as Tehran’s equivalent to which family?
    — Melinda Yao, NBC news, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of equivalent
Verb
  • Center fielder Oneil Cruz botched consecutive plays in the first inning, helping the Mets score five runs off a surprisingly ineffective Skenes (0-1), matching his career high.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
  • His 40-yard dash doesn’t match up with top wide receiver prospects, but speed certainly didn’t hold him back at TCU.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2026
Definition of match
Verb
  • The two offenders were sentenced to two years of probation and 60 hours of community service each − one hour for each victim, Judge Leonard Brown said − meaning they will not be put into a juvenile detention facility, while technically remaining under the supervision of the juvenile justice system.
    — Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
  • In Dallas-Fort Worth, there were 104,378 births and 53,559 deaths, which means 50,819 of the area’s new residents were a result of natural population change.
    — Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of mean
Verb
  • The book paralleled Plath’s own experiences with depression; the writer tragically died by suicide just a month after the novel’s first UK publication.
    — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2026
  • But perhaps the most significant factor in Krishnamoorthi’s fundraising success has been his ability to tap into a largely affluent Indian American community, whose growth and increasing political engagement — and giving — has paralleled his own rise.
    — Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
Definition of parallel

Browse Nearby Words

equable
equal
equaled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Equal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equal. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of equal for Spanish Speakers

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