SYNONYMS AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS
equivalent
adjective
Equal or corresponding in value, meaning, effect, or function.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
Equal in value or effect
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topEquivalent asserts equality in the relevant respect. Comparable only allows comparison; commensurate can mean proportionate. Interchangeable additionally requires substitution to preserve function.
CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT
See equivalent in use
The two routes cover an equivalent distance but pass through different neighborhoods.
The class drew a distinction between two characters' plans: one preserved a shared courtyard, while the other replaced it with private storage. Two different diagrams of the first plan were equivalent in function because either showed the same boundaries and access routes.
Compare an alternative with the original word in each passage. Shared meanings do not make every pair interchangeable.
Synonym reference scope and sources
The groups distinguish the senses selected for this study entry. Closest synonyms and broader related expressions have separate labels. The listed sources support lexical selection; not every phrase is a direct quotation from a source.
How the synonym reference was prepared / WordNet 3.0 license