liken

verb

lik·​en ˈlī-kən 

likened; likening ˈlī-kə-niŋ 

ˈlīk-niŋ

transitive verb

: to represent as similar : compare

Synonyms of liken

• compare
• equate

Examples of liken in a Sentence

he generally likened a root canal to some horrible form of torture

I think that we can liken the two pianists, at least in terms of natural talent.

Recent Examples on the Web

Ted needs further clarification, which leads Alice to liken each to the central Harry Potter characters, which in turn requires Beard to reframe it in terms of characters from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, which lines up surprisingly well. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026

Advertisement Board chair Bret Taylor likens the AI competition to a chessboard whose critical squares include frontier capability, the price and performance of each token, and the products wrapped around the models. — Alex Heath, Time, 26 Aug. 2026

Price likened his attraction to the format to his early embrace of streaming entertainment back in the days when Hollywood remained skeptical of its staying power. — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026

Darline Graham likened her work ethic to her brother's, and credited their hardworking parents who ran a bar and liquor store in central South Carolina for modeling that ethic. — Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing liken

• liken to

Rhymes for liken

• glycan
• lichen
• peptidoglycan
• proteoglycan

Kids Definition

liken

verb

lik·​en ˈlī-kən 

likened; likening ˈlīk-(ə-)niŋ 

: compare entry 1 sense 1