EQUAL Synonyms: 297 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

equal 1 of 3

adjective

ˈē-kwəl

Definition of equal next

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

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

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

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

as in to match

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

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

Morgan Stanley raised its price target, as many Wall Street research firms did, and keep its equal weight hold rating. —

Jim Cramer, CNBC, 7 Feb. 2025 Ivana Saric Updated Jan 23, 2025 - Politics & Policy What to know about the equal employment opportunity executive order Trump revoked President Trump on Tuesday revoked a decades-old executive order that strengthened protections against workplace discrimination. —

Emily Peck, Axios, 7 Feb. 2025

Noun

Trying To Do Too Much Too many business owners think doing more equals doing better. —

Sho Dewan, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024 Everton and Arsenal have not been relative equals since the 2013-14 season, when the two sides battled for Champions League qualification – and even that was fleeting. —

Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024

Verb

For full-year 2024, sales equaled 43.49 billion euros, a 5.6 percent rise in reported terms and 5.1 percent on a like-for-like basis. —

Jennifer Weil, WWD, 7 Feb. 2025 The population density of Gaza roughly equals that of London. —

Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for equal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for equal

Adjective

Florida is an equitable distribution state, which typically means couples split assets equally in a divorce.

— Kerry A. Dolan, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2025
The new law aims to align expropriation with South Africa's constitutional mandate to ensure equitable access to land.

— Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025