1
as in compared
to describe as similar
he generally likened a root canal to some horrible form of torture
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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
One user likened it to a meal for a turtle.
—
Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
Several of my interviewees had likened Newsom to Bill Clinton.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
Meteorologists likened the storm to the blizzard of 1979.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
After Republican Congressman Tim Burchett likened Jack White to Wednesday Addams in a snarky social media post to gin up a reaction from MAGA supporters, the musician responded on Tuesday with a 384-word missive on Instagram.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 30 Dec. 2025
Ferguson likened cannabis to alcohol and tobacco — products that are commonplace but not harmless.
—Lindsey Leake, NBC news, 23 Dec. 2025
The diocese likened the suit to a formality rather than a broader dispute over property rights.
—Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 19 Dec. 2025
The seaweed startup has previously likened that pioneering technology to a proprietary process not unlike brewing beer.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 19 Dec. 2025
Jonathan Kanter, the competition czar in Biden’s Justice Department, has likened the UnitedHealth amalgamation to Amazon.
—Elisabeth Rosenthal, Miami Herald, 11 Nov. 2025
Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
Several of my interviewees had likened Newsom to Bill Clinton.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
Meteorologists likened the storm to the blizzard of 1979.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
After Republican Congressman Tim Burchett likened Jack White to Wednesday Addams in a snarky social media post to gin up a reaction from MAGA supporters, the musician responded on Tuesday with a 384-word missive on Instagram.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 30 Dec. 2025
Ferguson likened cannabis to alcohol and tobacco — products that are commonplace but not harmless.
—Lindsey Leake, NBC news, 23 Dec. 2025
The diocese likened the suit to a formality rather than a broader dispute over property rights.
—Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 19 Dec. 2025
The seaweed startup has previously likened that pioneering technology to a proprietary process not unlike brewing beer.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 19 Dec. 2025
Jonathan Kanter, the competition czar in Biden’s Justice Department, has likened the UnitedHealth amalgamation to Amazon.
—Elisabeth Rosenthal, Miami Herald, 11 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likened
Verb
-
That figure represents an increase of more than 92,000 passengers compared with the previous year.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Invoking the 250th birthday of the United States and Massachusetts’ role in the American Revolution, Healey compared residents to that of the earliest days of the country, saying Bay Stater’s strength will get everyone through the challenges ahead.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Google’s Sundar Pichai has equated AI to the discovery of fire or electricity in its ability to democratize information.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Exhaustion stops being equated with worth, and success becomes something that can coexist with wellness.—
Essence,
Essence,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Likened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likened. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
