equalize

verb

equal·​ize ˈē-kwə-ˌlīz How to pronounce equalize (audio)
equalized; equalizing

transitive verb

1
: to make equal
2
a
: to compensate for
b
: to make uniform
especially : to distribute evenly or uniformly
equalize the tax burden
c
: to adjust or correct the frequency characteristics of (an electronic signal) by restoring to their original level high frequencies that have been attenuated

intransitive verb

chiefly British : to tie the score
equalization noun

Examples of equalize in a Sentence

They are hoping to equalize pay for workers with similar jobs. Educational opportunities have not yet equalized. trying to equalize the pressure
Recent Examples on the Web Exactly 10 minutes after Silva gave City the lead, Madrid had equalized after Eduardo Camavinga’s long-range effort took a wicked deflection off Rúben Dias. Ben Church, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024 French forward Delphine Cascarino did finally open the scoring for Lyon but Benfica equalized before half-time to keep its faint hopes alive. Ben Church, CNN, 28 Mar. 2024 After controlling the ball, Ji launched the shot to the net where the ball soared through to catch Red Stars goalkeeper, Alyssa Naeher, off guard to equalize for the Reign in the 63’ minute. Jackie Gutierrez, Forbes, 26 Mar. 2024 Robert Lewandowski equalized just three minutes later, but Granada again netted after the same amount of time had passed to enrage fans in attendance. Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2024 Yet the hosts rallied in the second half, equalizing before Sebastian Haller drilled home a winner just 10 minutes from full-time to secure a third AFCON crown for Les Éléphants and break Nigerian hearts. Callum Sutherland, CNN, 4 Mar. 2024 Clovis North answered in the 23rd minute when Nixon Hansen crushed in a header to equalize. Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 1 Mar. 2024 Congress will not move forward with a controversial policy to equalize certain Medicare payments to hospitals and physicians’ offices in an upcoming government funding package, five lobbyists and sources following the talks told STAT. Rachel Cohrs Reprints, STAT, 26 Feb. 2024 The Savage equalized with just 15 seconds left in the first half before taking the 2-1 lead early in the third period. Nathan Dunn, Kansas City Star, 19 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'equalize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of equalize was in 1600

Dictionary Entries Near equalize

Cite this Entry

“Equalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/equalize. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

equalize

verb
equal·​ize ˈē-kwə-ˌlīz How to pronounce equalize (audio)
equalized; equalizing
1
: to make equal
2
: to make uniform
especially : to distribute evenly
equalization noun
equalizer
ˈē-kwə-ˌlī-zər
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on equalize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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