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
Entering the contest, Deschamps and his counterpart, Carlo Ancelotti, likened Thursday’s match as a true test of what a real World Cup environment would bring.
—
Julian Cardillo, Boston Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Sphire likened Lorenzen to Highlands’ version of former Penn State tight end Tyler Warren, who did a little bit of everything for the Nittany Lions.
—Grace Raynor, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Some have likened coach Deion Sanders’ early Colorado tenure to that of the pioneering college basketball coach John Thompson, whose Georgetown Hoyas were an anomaly on a predominantly white campus but garnered the unwavering support of the hip hop and Black community.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 17 Mar. 2026
In January, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta likened the teenager to a young Lionel Messi.
—Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 17 Mar. 2026
Remember when the Broncos coach likened free agency to garage sale finds?
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2026
In its definition of NPH, the Cleveland Clinic likened the condition’s symptoms to those of dementia but said that, unlike dementia, the condition can be reversed.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 13 Mar. 2026
Armas recently likened Bethune’s creativity and playmaking abilities to those of hall of fame hoops point guard Jason Kidd.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 2026
Several people likened Donna Kelce's home renovation to a major historical event.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Julian Cardillo, Boston Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Sphire likened Lorenzen to Highlands’ version of former Penn State tight end Tyler Warren, who did a little bit of everything for the Nittany Lions.
—Grace Raynor, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Some have likened coach Deion Sanders’ early Colorado tenure to that of the pioneering college basketball coach John Thompson, whose Georgetown Hoyas were an anomaly on a predominantly white campus but garnered the unwavering support of the hip hop and Black community.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 17 Mar. 2026
In January, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta likened the teenager to a young Lionel Messi.
—Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 17 Mar. 2026
Remember when the Broncos coach likened free agency to garage sale finds?
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2026
In its definition of NPH, the Cleveland Clinic likened the condition’s symptoms to those of dementia but said that, unlike dementia, the condition can be reversed.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 13 Mar. 2026
Armas recently likened Bethune’s creativity and playmaking abilities to those of hall of fame hoops point guard Jason Kidd.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 2026
Several people likened Donna Kelce's home renovation to a major historical event.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likened
Verb
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The Nécessaire serum targets the scalp with peptide science and a capixyl concentration that some studies have compared favorably to minoxidil.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
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Rains can be spotty across Arizona’s Sky Islands, but Douglas, where the Malpai Borderlands Group is headquartered, received less than 10 inches in annual rainfall in the past five years, compared with the 20-inch annual total in the 1980s.—
Shi En Kim,
AZCentral.com,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In the latter category was presenter Jimmy Kimmel, who, in an act of exaggeration that would be Swiftian if intentional, equated the free speech policies of North Korea with those of, um, CBS.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
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Oklahoma Education Association President Cari Elledge equated the plan to mortgaging a teacher’s future for a salary increase today.—
Nuria Martinez-Keel,
Oklahoma Voice,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Likened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likened. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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