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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Examples 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

The fill-in defenceman also teed up a couple of heavy shots, but Devon Levi was equal to the challenge. —

Nick Ashbourne, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024 That was roughly equal to November 2023 and an increasingly common occurrence in recent years, but largely unheard of prior to about 2010. —

Andrew Freedman, Axios, 16 Dec. 2024

Noun

This distortion reinforces the myth that treating children as equals will lead to disastrous outcomes. —

Mark Travers, Forbes, 25 Sep. 2024 Chinese President Xi Jinping, who also heads the Chinese Communist Party, is striving to make his country the equal of the United States in the global arena. —

Maura Elizabeth Cunningham, Foreign Affairs, 31 May 2018

Verb

Yields and prices move in opposite directions, and one basis point equals 0.01%. —

Sean Conlon,lisa Kailai Han,sam Meredith, CNBC, 3 Dec. 2024 The moral of the story in Gladiator 2 is that war always equals death and a demise to human life which means that the only way to victory is destruction which is an oxymoron in itself. —

Malik Peay, Essence, 3 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for equal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for equal

Adjective

This looming ban highlights why creators and businesses need to diversify their income streams and push for more equitable digital spaces.

Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 11 Dec. 2024
By leveraging its platform, products, partnerships with non-profit organizations, and mobilizing employees, LinkedIn helps create more equitable access to jobs, networks, learning resources, and skills development tools —to create a more level playing field for all.

Afdhel Aziz, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024