likened

past tense of liken
1
as in compared
to describe as similar he generally likened a root canal to some horrible form of torture

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of likened Jonathan Kanter, the competition czar in Biden’s Justice Department, has likened the UnitedHealth amalgamation to Amazon. Elisabeth Rosenthal, Miami Herald, 11 Nov. 2025 Luke likened his brain to a bronc. Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2025 The law school professor likened this potential scenario to a parent paying for their 17-year-old boy causing damage by egging a house on Halloween night. Gary Grumbach, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2025 Many of those who study planetary geology have likened Mars’s surface material to the fresh volcanic, basaltic soils found in Hawaii. Big Think, 6 Nov. 2025 As his defeat more clearly came into focus, Peacock likened the race to his high school basketball team showing up to compete against the Los Angeles Lakers. Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 5 Nov. 2025 Where other directors, including Richard Linklater and Steven Soderbergh, have remarked on AI’s value as a tool, Miller has likened generative filmmaking to past creative revolutions, including the invention of oil paint and photography. Jake Kanter, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025 Khaled Tawfik, the city’s chief information officer, likened the adoption of AI to the way computing has now become an essential function in schools and workplaces. Devan Patel, Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2025 Rosier likened the collaboration with Augustinus Bader’s existing work with Victoria Beckham. James Manso, Footwear News, 4 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likened
Verb
  • For instance, presidents with sub-50 percent job approval have seen their parties lose an average of 37 House seats, compared with just about 14 seats when the approval rating was above 50 percent.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
  • And when daily wear and tear was simulated – through continuous electric-toothbrush abrasion equivalent to about a year of brushing, as well as chewing and grinding – the teeth actually had superior resistance to wear, fracture and acid attack compared with natural enamel.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Challenger equated the impact of AI on the current labor market to the rise of the internet in the early aughts.
    Steve Kopack, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Defense Priorities scholars argue that the cartels are being falsely equated with terrorist groups like Al Qaeda, and warn of mission creep without clear objectives or legal justification.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Likened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likened. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.

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