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

• compare
• liken

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

Owens advocates for a cultural shift that values rest as essential for achieving and sustaining excellence, countering the pervasive narrative that equates busyness with success. —Leslie D. Rose, Parents, 19 Feb. 2025

Card values and collector popularity don’t necessarily equate with the best players in the leagues this season; players who didn’t participate in this past weekend’s NBA All-Star festivities in San Francisco are on this list. —Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 17 Feb. 2025

Second-rate European films about counterculture-era youth always seem to feature them racing around breathlessly, as if that somehow equates with anti-authoritarian defiance. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Feb. 2025

Based on last year’s Super Bowl audience, EDO equated one ad during the big game to roughly 450 spots during primetime programming in terms of viewer engagement. —Lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 7 Feb. 2025

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

Kids Definition

equate

verb

i-ˈkwāt 

equated; equating

: to make or treat as equal or equivalent