tantamount

IPA/ˈtæntəmaʊnt/
KK[tˈæntəmˌaʊnt]IPA/ˈtæntəmaʊnt/

tantamount — adjective

  • tantamountpositive
  • more tantamountcomparative
  • most tantamountsuperlative

1. used to say that one thing has the same practical effect or importance as anothe

1.形容詞C1
釋義

used to say that one thing has the same practical effect or importance as another, especially when that other thing is something bad or extreme.

例句

For the local fishing community, the new law is tantamount to a ban on their traditional livelihood.

be tantamount to + noun phrase

Heloísa considered her boss's warning tantamount to a threat, so she began looking for a new job.

consider + object + tantamount to + noun phrase

同義詞
  • equivalent

    more neutral in register; tantamount is stronger, more formal, and usually carries a negative connotation

  • equal to

    less formal and used in broader contexts; does not imply negativity

  • comparable to

    milder in tone; suggests similarity rather than near-identity

反義詞
  • incomparable

    suggests the difference is so great that no meaningful comparison can be made

文法句型

be tantamount to + noun phrase

be tantamount to + verb-ing

用法筆記

This adjective is always used predicatively — after a linking verb such as 'be', 'seem', or 'become' — and is never placed directly before a noun. It must be followed by 'to', never by 'as' or 'with'.

常見錯誤

❌His silence was tantamount as a confession.
✅His silence was tantamount to a confession.
💡the preposition must be 'to', not 'as'.
❌That is a tantamount betrayal.
✅That is tantamount to betrayal.
💡tantamount is always used predicatively, never directly before a noun.