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
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Recent Examples of likened
Millar likened the dynamic to the annual flu vaccine or shingles shot for older adults.
—
Annika Kim Constantino,
CNBC,
28 June 2026
One former employee likened him to Bill Clinton, recognized for knowing how to work a crowd and making everyone feel completely engaged.
—
Sebastian Herrera,
Fortune,
27 June 2026
Evidence in the court cases revealed some of the tech companies' inner workings, including communications of employees who likened their products to drugs and casinos.
—
ABC News,
26 June 2026
In conversation with Josh Horowitz at the 92nd Street Y on Wednesday, June 24, Brown, 22, opened up about her transition into action films — and likened herself to the Top Gun actor.
—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
25 June 2026
The second album this year from metalcore pioneers Converge is named for a mysterious, pulsing, low-frequency ambient drone, likened by those who hear it to a diesel engine, an idling airplane, or a kind of inescapable torture.
—
Alex Robert Ross,
Pitchfork,
24 June 2026
Lucas Gelfond, a software engineer, likened the uniformity that these products encourage to the effects of mass manufacturing following the Industrial Revolution.
—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
24 June 2026
Adams likened the conditions on the boat to having a bunch of teenagers — with no seatbelts or airbags — in the back of a pick-up truck and zipping down an unpaved road.
—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
22 June 2026
Biden likened the matches to Roman gladiator fights staged by 1st century emperors during undemocratic times.
—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
19 June 2026
Annika Kim Constantino,
CNBC,
28 June 2026
One former employee likened him to Bill Clinton, recognized for knowing how to work a crowd and making everyone feel completely engaged.
—
Sebastian Herrera,
Fortune,
27 June 2026
Evidence in the court cases revealed some of the tech companies' inner workings, including communications of employees who likened their products to drugs and casinos.
—
ABC News,
26 June 2026
In conversation with Josh Horowitz at the 92nd Street Y on Wednesday, June 24, Brown, 22, opened up about her transition into action films — and likened herself to the Top Gun actor.
—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
25 June 2026
The second album this year from metalcore pioneers Converge is named for a mysterious, pulsing, low-frequency ambient drone, likened by those who hear it to a diesel engine, an idling airplane, or a kind of inescapable torture.
—
Alex Robert Ross,
Pitchfork,
24 June 2026
Lucas Gelfond, a software engineer, likened the uniformity that these products encourage to the effects of mass manufacturing following the Industrial Revolution.
—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
24 June 2026
Adams likened the conditions on the boat to having a bunch of teenagers — with no seatbelts or airbags — in the back of a pick-up truck and zipping down an unpaved road.
—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
22 June 2026
Biden likened the matches to Roman gladiator fights staged by 1st century emperors during undemocratic times.
—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
19 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likened
Verb
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The Netherlands has maintained about 70% possession with three shots on goal, compared with Tunisia’s one, and 306 accurate passes, compared with Tunisia's 111.
-
Transits tripled to 93 last weekend compared with the prior comparable period, according to ship-tracking data provider MarineTraffic, but remain far below pre-war levels when more than 100 ships transited the strait each day.
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.
-
Happiness is equated early on to alpine hamlets ensconced between verdant mountains carved by pristine waterfalls.
Cite this Entry
“Likened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likened. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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