1
as in compared
to describe as similar
he generally likened a root canal to some horrible form of torture
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in identified
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of likened
The professor likened these possible societal impacts to the Industrial Revolution.
—
Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 5 June 2026
At a recent pretrial hearing, prosecutor Thomas Williams likened the Raos to negligent referees.
—Thomas Lake, AJC.com, 4 June 2026
Saban likened the Senate bill to the rules governing professional sports leagues, such as the National Football League and the National Basketball Association.
—Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 3 June 2026
During the conversation, Vinod likened AI as a human intern.
—Brian Solis, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Mete and Defne likened the arrangement to summer houses in their childhoods, when everyone ate outside on makeshift tables, calling out to neighbors.
—Ayşegül Savaş, New Yorker, 24 May 2026
In an interview with Willamette Week, Doran likened Visible Cloaks’ approach to Brian Eno’s concept of ambient music being both ignorable and interesting, holding one’s attention by not holding it at all.
—Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 22 May 2026
Ponec likened the thermal storage process – which consists of dozens of large white metal boxes on the ground – to the operations of a giant toaster.
—CBS News, 20 May 2026
Extra points Jones likened riding roller coasters to returning punts on Tuesday.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 19 May 2026
Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 5 June 2026
At a recent pretrial hearing, prosecutor Thomas Williams likened the Raos to negligent referees.
—Thomas Lake, AJC.com, 4 June 2026
Saban likened the Senate bill to the rules governing professional sports leagues, such as the National Football League and the National Basketball Association.
—Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 3 June 2026
During the conversation, Vinod likened AI as a human intern.
—Brian Solis, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Mete and Defne likened the arrangement to summer houses in their childhoods, when everyone ate outside on makeshift tables, calling out to neighbors.
—Ayşegül Savaş, New Yorker, 24 May 2026
In an interview with Willamette Week, Doran likened Visible Cloaks’ approach to Brian Eno’s concept of ambient music being both ignorable and interesting, holding one’s attention by not holding it at all.
—Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 22 May 2026
Ponec likened the thermal storage process – which consists of dozens of large white metal boxes on the ground – to the operations of a giant toaster.
—CBS News, 20 May 2026
Extra points Jones likened riding roller coasters to returning punts on Tuesday.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 19 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likened
Verb
-
Their place in the wider arachnid fossil record shows that most scorpions are unusually abundant in rocks dating back to this time period, compared with other arachnid species.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
4 June 2026
-
While Pace refused to share a list of artists cut from its roster, an ARTnews analysis of the gallery’s current roster compared with one from February of 2026 shows that the following are no longer be represented by the gallery.—
Devorah Lauter,
ARTnews.com,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
A lot of people equated cruelty with strength, and a lot of them aren’t going to be able to come back from that.—
Steve Appleford,
SPIN,
1 June 2026
-
Happiness is equated early on to alpine hamlets ensconced between verdant mountains carved by pristine waterfalls.—
Viju Mathew,
Robb Report,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Likened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likened. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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