Some common synonyms of equal are equivalent, identical, same, selfsame, and very. While all these words mean "not different or not differing from...

In some situations, the words equivalent and equal are roughly equivalent. However, equivalent implies amounting to the same thing in worth or sign...

The synonyms identical and equal are sometimes interchangeable, but identical may imply selfsameness or suggest absolute agreement in all details....

Same may imply and selfsame always implies that the things under consideration are one thing and not two or more things. // took the same route //...

Very, like selfsame, may imply identity, or, like same may imply likeness in kind. // the very point I was trying to make