Equalize
What it means
To make rights, opportunities, conditions, or amounts more equal.
Reach for it when describing an action that reduces a specific disparity
Free equipment can equalize participation across the district.
Words to choose between 6
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| professional |
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| formal |
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playful
even out
Fits when gradual reduction of variation can be described informally
Careful The phrasal verb is vague about what becomes equal and by what standard.
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everyday
Fits when opposing amounts or interests are brought into proportion
Careful Balance can preserve inequality and does not require equal shares.
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everyday
Fits when reducing a measurable difference is central
Careful Level can imply flattening valuable differences or lowering the stronger side.
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professional
standardize
Fits when common rules or specifications remove variation
Careful Standardization creates uniformity, not necessarily fairness or equal opportunity.
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formal
Fits when different systems are made compatible
Careful Harmonization permits differences and is less direct than equalization.
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formal
Fits when correcting an injustice or imbalance is the purpose
Careful Redress responds to wrongs and may require unequal remedies.
Opposites 4
- differentiate
- unbalance
- polarize
- widen
Common phrases 3
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equalize access
Mobile clinics help equalize access across remote communities.
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equalize opportunity
Travel grants can equalize opportunity for rural students.
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partly equalize
The subsidy partly equalized costs without removing every barrier.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vealhurl, Southern England accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated