liken to
phrasal verb
likened to; likening to; likens to
: to describe (someone or something) as similar to (someone or something else)
Some critics have likened his writing to Faulkner's.
She likened her trip to a pilgrimage.
Examples of liken to in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Often likened to pecans, shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) produces deliciously rich, sweet, and buttery nuts.
—
Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 21 Jan. 2026
Ithaca is often likened to cities like Boulder, Colorado, or Burlington, Vermont, because of its independent, bohemian spirit.
—Kelsey Fowler, Travel + Leisure, 17 Jan. 2026
The butter is nutty with notes of caramel, while the sage is earthy, savory and woodsy, with a touch of freshness that some liken to citrus, eucalyptus or mint.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Dick, who succumbed to cancer in 2018, was a presidential speechwriter and advisor who Goodwin likens to the Zelig of the era, continually entrenched at the nexus of its consequential characters and moments.
—Greg Carannante, Sun Sentinel, 4 Jan. 2026
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Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 21 Jan. 2026
Ithaca is often likened to cities like Boulder, Colorado, or Burlington, Vermont, because of its independent, bohemian spirit.
—Kelsey Fowler, Travel + Leisure, 17 Jan. 2026
The butter is nutty with notes of caramel, while the sage is earthy, savory and woodsy, with a touch of freshness that some liken to citrus, eucalyptus or mint.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Dick, who succumbed to cancer in 2018, was a presidential speechwriter and advisor who Goodwin likens to the Zelig of the era, continually entrenched at the nexus of its consequential characters and moments.
—Greg Carannante, Sun Sentinel, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for liken to
Cite this Entry
“Liken to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liken%20to. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
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