equate

verb

i-ˈkwāt 

ˈē-ˌkwāt

equated; equating

transitive verb

1

a

: to make equal : equalize

b

: to make such an allowance or correction in as will reduce to a common standard or obtain a correct result

2

: to treat, represent, or regard as equal, equivalent, or comparable

equates disagreement with disloyalty

intransitive verb

: to correspond as equal

Synonyms of equate

• compare

Examples of equate in a Sentence

You shouldn't equate those two things.

a value system that equates money with success

Recent Examples on the Web

Speed And Output Are Not The Same Thing The instinct to equate AI use with productivity is understandable. — Muhammad Muzammil Rawjani, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Living by a maxim that equated failure with opportunity, Brees exhibited a knack for turning tribulation into triumph. — ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026

People like to knock Nolan’s screenwriting, which is often equated with dialogue. — Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 1 Aug. 2026

For those who equate sport watches with rubber straps, the Hermès Cut is a nice entry point. — Daisy Shaw-Ellis, Vogue, 31 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin aequatus, past participle of aequare

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing equate

• equate to
• equate with/and

Rhymes for equate

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• breastplate
• bromate
• casemate

Kids Definition

equate

verb

i-ˈkwāt 

equated; equating

: to make or treat as equal or equivalent