tantamount

USAGE SUMMARY

'tantamount' is a correctly spelled and correctly used word in written English.
Tantamount means equivalent to or having the same effect as something else. It is used when comparing two things that might not be the same in kind but are the same in effect or importance. For example: "The murder was tantamount to treason, so the court sentenced him to life in prison."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Government insiders insisted the reshuffle was tantamount to window-dressing, aimed at placating the bodies that had blamed Varoufakis for the lack of headway.

The Guardian - Business

"An opt-in scheme would be tantamount to the EU saying that it's OK for companies to choose not to source responsibly".

The Guardian

The mere contrast between Jude and Sue's situation and your own should convince parents that low contributions to a 401(k) plan are not tantamount to catastrophe.

The Guardian - Books

Maybe they feel that they shouldn't lament their child's behaviour because, in their eyes, it would be tantamount to regretting that their child exists.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Acquiescing to any deal involving restrictions on the rights of the roughly 800,000 Poles currently living in the UK would be considered tantamount to treason by Duda's nationalist base, seriously harming his and his party's patriotic credentials.

The Guardian - Opinion

Every phrase was designed to demonstrate that letting Labour back in would be tantamount to putting all the hard-gotten gains down the pan.

The Guardian - Opinion

O'Malley ended up receiving a majority of the vote in the primary (tantamount to election in deep-blue Baltimore).

The Guardian

"It would be tantamount to undermining our own national interests because it would detract from our own campaign against extremism and terrorism".

The Guardian

Similarly, Shadow Ministers have argued that capping benefit increases to 1% is tantamount to a 'strivers' tax' given that the majority of claimants are in work.

The Guardian

If Allister took the seat it would be tantamount to a political earthquake and have the potential to reshape unionist politics.

The Guardian

As anyone who has been to a certain kind of pre-natal "support group" knows, for a woman to say – admit, even – that she will avail herself of all the pain relief and opt for a c-section is tantamount to admitting you plan to give your kids heroin to keep them quiet during EastEnders.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tantamount" when you want to emphasize that two things, while perhaps different in nature, have the same practical effect or consequence.

Common error

Avoid using "tantamount" when you mean 'similar' but not 'equivalent'. "Tantamount" implies a strong degree of equivalence in result or effect, not just resemblance.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "tantamount" is as a predicate adjective. Ludwig examples show it connecting a subject to a description of equivalence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it signifies something that is effectively the same as another.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tantamount" is a versatile adjective signifying equivalence or near-equivalence. It is commonly employed in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig. The word indicates that, while the items being compared aren't identical, they are similar enough to be considered equal. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and appropriate use. Use it to emphasize significant consequences or equivalent effects and avoid using it when you mean only 'similar'.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

equivalent to

This alternative expresses direct equality or interchangeability.

equal to

This option indicates the same value or measure.

amounts to

This suggests a culmination or consequence that is effectively the same.

is the same as

This provides a straightforward statement of equality.

synonymous with

This highlights a similarity in meaning or implication.

indistinguishable from

This emphasizes the lack of perceptible difference.

virtually identical to

This expresses a near-perfect match with only minor differences.

commensurate with

This suggests a proportional or corresponding relationship.

on par with

This implies a similar level or standard.

bears comparison to

This invites a comparison highlighting substantial similarities.

FAQs

How to use "tantamount" in a sentence?

Use "tantamount" to describe something that has the same effect or is virtually equivalent to something else. For example, "His silence was "tantamount to an admission" of guilt".

What can I say instead of "tantamount"?

You can use alternatives like "equivalent to", "equal to", or "amounts to" depending on the specific context.

Is "tantamount to" formal or informal?

"Tantamount to" is considered a relatively formal expression. It's appropriate for use in academic writing, business reports, news articles, and other contexts where precise and sophisticated language is valued.

What's the difference between "tantamount to" and "similar to"?

"Tantamount to" implies that something is virtually equivalent or has the same effect as something else, while "similar to" simply means that two things share some common characteristics. "Tantamount to" suggests a much stronger connection than "similar to".