equalize
Americanverb (used with object)
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to make equal.
to equalize tax burdens.
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to make uniform.
to equalize a rate of production.
verb
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(tr) to make equal or uniform; regularize
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(intr) (in sports) to reach the same score as one's opponent or opponents
Other Word Forms
- equalization noun
- nonequalization noun
- nonequalized adjective
- nonequalizing adjective
- unequalize verb (used with object)
Etymology
Origin of equalize
Explanation
To equalize is to make sure something is shared evenly or uniformly. You might try to equalize how much cake each party guest gets by slicing it into identical pieces. When you equalize, you're attempting to make things equal, a word with a Latin root that means "even, fair, or equitable." This can be done on a small scale, like when parents feel they have to buy an additional gift for one of their children in order to equalize everyone's Christmas presents. It's also done on a larger scale, with whole industries pushed to equalize pay for workers or cities to equalize educational opportunities for kids.
Vocabulary lists containing equalize
Scrabble: High Scoring Words
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A Soccer and a Football Special
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20 Common Words That Will Boost Your Scrabble Score
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It’s relatively easy to equalize the inheritance for your sons, even if you make gifts during your lifetime.
From MarketWatch • Jan. 12, 2026
Markkanen's free throw with 19 seconds remaining in regulation set up the first overtime at 127-127 and Chicago's Coby White sank a layup with 0.2 of seconds remaining to equalize at 136-136.
From Barron's • Nov. 17, 2025
He said his group has advocated for Newsom to declare a statewide emergency, which would help equalize the response statewide and allow for mutual aid agreements between wealthier and poorer areas.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 28, 2025
At six months of age, the number of nanotubes in normal mice and those with Alzheimer's disease began to equalize.
From Science Daily • Oct. 16, 2025
Once more through the plan: Use the manual valves to equalize the airlock.
From "The Martian" by Andy Weir
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
