adjective
tantamount
TAN-tuh-mount/ˈtæntəmaʊnt/
Effectively the same in value, effect, or seriousness.
Stealing the key is tantamount to breaking the lock: either permits unauthorized access.
Etymology
The mountain image behind “amount” developed from going upward to reaching a total. Combined with “as much,” it meant amounting to the same thing, hence being equivalent in effect or seriousness.
In context
revealing your identity as an overseer was tantamount to treason
More examples
- The admission was tantamount to a confession.
- For the isolated town, closing the bridge was tantamount to cutting off supplies.
- The change is tantamount to starting over.
Forms
tantamount
Similar words
- equivalent
- Equivalent is the direct general term; tantamount often stresses that different actions have the same practical seriousness.
- comparable
- Comparable permits meaningful comparison; tantamount claims effective equality.