equivalence

The state of having the same value, meaning, or effect as something else.

• The test confirmed their equivalence.
• We checked the equivalence of the two qualifications.
• Students must prove an equivalence between the expressions.

How to use it: equivalence between A and B (The study found equivalence between the two treatments.); equivalence of A and B (We need proof of the equivalence of these qualifications.)

Similar words: equality

Opposites: inequality

Common phrases: equal equivalence, equivalence relation, equivalence of qualifications

A claim or comparison that treats two things as having the same value or importance.

• That argument creates a false equivalence.
• She rejected his equivalence between criticism and hatred.
• Drawing a moral equivalence between these actions seems unfair.

How to use it: equivalence between A and B (He rejected the equivalence between a mistake and a deliberate lie.)

Similar words: equation, comparison

Common phrases: false equivalence, moral equivalence

How closely a translation matches the meaning of the original words.

• Perfect equivalence is difficult in translation.
• This phrase has no direct equivalence in French.
• The translators discussed equivalence at the level of individual words.

How to use it: equivalence between A and B (The translator sought equivalence between the original poem and her version.)

Common phrases: translation equivalence, semantic equivalence, functional equivalence