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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of likened
This particular dachshund's antics were enough to spark a wave of both laughter and empathy from viewers, many of whom likened the behavior to their own pets' end-of-day routines.
—
Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Zaslow likened the situation to hiking a 14er for a few hours.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025
The chatbot likened itself and Brooks to historical scientific figures such as Alan Turing and Nikola Tesla.
—Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
Caruso likened the Vandals to North Dakota State and South Dakota State, two of the perennial powers in the FCS.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 5 Sep. 2025
Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo likened the requirements to slavery.
—Tara Suter, The Hill, 4 Sep. 2025
Some have likened existing AI to the days of the Wild West.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
In light of the extraordinary privations and mass killing of Gaza’s civilian population in the current war, Hamas’s external leader, Khaled Meshaal, has likened Gaza to Algeria, where independence was achieved only after the death of more than a million civilians.
—Leila Seurat, Foreign Affairs, 26 Aug. 2025
Grumet likened the process to going to the Department of Motor Vehicles in the 1950s-era Soviet Union.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 22 Aug. 2025
Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Zaslow likened the situation to hiking a 14er for a few hours.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025
The chatbot likened itself and Brooks to historical scientific figures such as Alan Turing and Nikola Tesla.
—Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
Caruso likened the Vandals to North Dakota State and South Dakota State, two of the perennial powers in the FCS.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 5 Sep. 2025
Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo likened the requirements to slavery.
—Tara Suter, The Hill, 4 Sep. 2025
Some have likened existing AI to the days of the Wild West.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
In light of the extraordinary privations and mass killing of Gaza’s civilian population in the current war, Hamas’s external leader, Khaled Meshaal, has likened Gaza to Algeria, where independence was achieved only after the death of more than a million civilians.
—Leila Seurat, Foreign Affairs, 26 Aug. 2025
Grumet likened the process to going to the Department of Motor Vehicles in the 1950s-era Soviet Union.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likened
Verb
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For years, those on the radical left have compared wonderful Americans like Charlie to Nazis and the world’s worst mass murderers and criminals.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
11 Sep. 2025
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Roseman, whose first full-time NFL job was in the financial realm as counsel to the Eagles’ salary-cap staff, has compared Philadelphia’s tactics to financing a home when interest rates are low.—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In a terse statement confirming only the broad outlines of the incident, the Pentagon equated Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government to a narco-trafficking cartel, allegations Caracas denies.—
Phil Stewart,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
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Like President Reagan, those pushing for democracy promotion equated political freedom with strengthening free markets and thereby lessening the attraction abroad to movements—including but not limited to communism—that aimed to redistribute resources to reduce economic inequality.—
Time,
Time,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Likened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likened. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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