Allowing him to leave prison now would be 'equivalent to' [=would amount to, would be the same as] saying that his crime was not serious.
I haven't taken English 202, but I took an 'equivalent' course at another university.
Those less-known companies manufacture 'equivalent' products at cheaper prices.
(..) BORIS SHCHERBINA: I'm pleased to report that the situation in Chernobyl is stable. In terms of radiation... I'm told it's the equivalent of a chest X-ray. No! Chernobyl is on fire. And every atom of uranium is like a bullet... penetrating everything (..)2019 TvShow: Game of Thrones Title: Winterfell Season: 8 Episode 1