Definition of equalnext
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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

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
Declining an invitation to perform at the Kennedy Center will have an equal and opposite political effect. Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2026 And the view of the northern Rockies commands equal attention with the headliners. Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 21 July 2026
Noun
The Pacers in no way were equals of the Thunder last year, yet came within one game of that title. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 24 May 2026 Beijing didn’t need big tangible outcomes to achieve major wins, like projecting China as an equal to the US on the global stage, and directing the tone of the relationship – including around Taiwan. Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 16 May 2026
Verb
Fudd’s 30-point effort was tied for the second-most ever, equaling Sabrina Ionescu and Allie Quigley’s total. Doug Feinberg, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2026 Also equaling its last year’s tally is KMEX-TV with 7, followed by KVEA (6), ABC7 4, NBC4 (4), Spectrum News 1 and Spectrum SportsNet (2) and LA36, Spectrum SportsNet LA and USC Football (1). Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 25 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for equal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for equal
Adjective
  • On a mission to build a more equitable food system, Kanbe’s Market is taking items typically thrown out and making them into accessible, affordable meals for families.
    Zuri Primos July 28, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026
  • Creating new powerful unions for the 21st century Direct payouts might not be the only way to achieve a more equitable data sourcing process, however.
    Trevor Laurence Jockims, CNBC, 26 July 2026
Adjective
  • Go back further and the shape of the argument flips, but the underlying tension is identical.
    Olivia Shalhoup, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • As the riders lean their bikes against the bench, Tom notices the machines are identical in brand and color.
    Tom Campbell, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • For all of the wonderfully talented players that the City academy are bringing through, there have been no suitable deep-lying midfielders on the conveyor belt — even Nico O’Reilly was better as an attacking midfielder in his academy days.
    Sam Lee, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The debate is no longer about whether the CLARITY Act contains suitable ethics provisions.
    Anthony Scaramucci, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Barbie’s hair choices, too, are ever so composed and elegant.
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 29 July 2026
  • Replacement Ryunosuke Ito, plucked from Meiji University, had a composed debut, including laying on a try for Matsunaga, who was five for five off the tee.
    ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2026
Noun
  • According to research from American Association of Retired Persons, nearly 70% of grandparents provide some level of care for their grandchildren, averaging more than 500 hours annually, or the equivalent of 12-and-a-half weeks of full-time work.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Eaton shares are up nearly 4% after Evercore upgraded the electrical equipment maker to a buy-equivalent rating and raised its price target to $502 from $453.
    Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • This was a love letter to the Shield that doubled as a match-of-the-year candidate.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Soccer fans tap to enter the Vine City MARTA station after the South Africa verses Czechia match on Thursday, June 18, 2026.
    Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Having no motor drive meant constant manual tracking, which rules out long-exposure astrophotography of nebulae or galaxies.
    Damian Peach, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The minor issue meant that Marisa couldn’t pass on citizenship to her daughter or grandchildren.
    Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • My reading interests parallel my general interests—poetry, genre-defying prose, contemporary philosophy, and art criticism.
    Diana Arterian, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026
  • Drawing parallels, the article suggests modern leaders can adopt Shackleton's strategies, enhanced by AI tools like ChatGPT.
    Aytekin Tank, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Equal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equal. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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