The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word SYNONYM
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
S
Y
N
O
N
Y
M
More clues leading to the result SYNONYM
- Reprobate spoken of by Shakespearean corporal? It means the same thing
- Reported malefactor? Shakespearean corporal? It means the same thing
- Rose may have got up as one (7
- Speciality of doctorexemplified in case, for instance
- Sonny hurt writer’s back – or rear, say?
- Another word for terribly nosy New York male
- Eg best for worst, verbally
- Replacement used for term: issue for children?
- Clue for hint, for example – or equivalent?
- Word for word?
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "equivalent" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case equivalent = synonym.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does SYNONYM mean?
SYNONYM noun- (strictly) A word whose meaning is the same as that of another word.
- A word or phrase with a meaning that is the same as, or very similar to, another word or phrase.
- Any of the formal names for a taxon, including the valid name (i.e. the senior synonym).
- Any name for a taxon, usually a validly published, formally accepted one, but often also an unpublished name.
- An alternative (often shorter) name defined for an object in a database.