Synonyms of liken

liken

verb

ˈlī-kən 

1

as in to compare

to describe as similar

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• compare
• equate
• refer
• analogize
• bracket
• assimilate
• connect
• link
• relate
• couple
• allude
• associate
• parallel
• match
• equal

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• contrast

2

as in to equate

to regard or represent as equal or comparable

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• compare
• equate
• identify
• connect
• relate
• correlate
• classify
• link
• match
• associate
• join
• categorize
• class
• group
• lump (together)
• sort
• grade
• assort

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• distinguish
• differentiate
• separate
• discriminate
• discern

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of liken

The process inside the ‘Pentagon’ Inside the walls of Nationals Park, some began likening the process to living in a house while still building it. — Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Co-author David Paige of the University of California, Los Angeles, likens it to gardening. — CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026

In a post on X, Marbin Miller likened the impact of the cuts to a surgical operation. — Jocelyn Noveck, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Wickersham says, with only the slightest of chuckles, that every quarterback is something of a sociopath and likens them to politicians in the middle of a race. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026