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

People equate protecting endangered species with protecting their own livelihood. —Brianna Randall, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026

Google’s Sundar Pichai has equated AI to the discovery of fire or electricity in its ability to democratize information. —Jake Angelo, Fortune, 21 Jan. 2026

Exhaustion stops being equated with worth, and success becomes something that can coexist with wellness. —Essence, 21 Jan. 2026

But Judaism also refuses to equate self-protection with emotional petrification. —Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Jan. 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