as in comparison
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1
as in comparing
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 equating
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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Recent Examples of likening
Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 19 Dec. 2025
The show’s creator, Darren Star, gave Tudum insight into the decision to have Emily step into a new role as head of Agence Grateau’s satellite office in Rome, likening the plot twist to Emily turning the page to a bigger, bolder chapter in her life.
—Madeleine Janz, PEOPLE, 18 Dec. 2025
However, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had attempted to preempt these issues, acknowledging in an opinion piece on Sunday that the system would not work flawlessly from the start, likening it to liquor laws.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 10 Dec. 2025
Chu praised Kerstein, likening the art of editing each musical number to a different puzzle.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 5 Nov. 2025
Whether likening transition to conversion therapy or calling trans women men, Rowling’s outlandish anti-trans rants have been making headlines for years.
—Quispe López, Them., 30 Oct. 2025
By likening the world to a stage and seeing ourselves as the actors living on it, this meta motif — while classical in concept — resonates strongly as a universal theme for those of us living today.
—Billboard Japan, Billboard, 17 Oct. 2025
Warren segued into a high-level definition of microplastics, likening the tiny particles to the size of a sesame seed.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 16 Oct. 2025
Former Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Ryan praised what Jones has brought to the table, likening him to Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield.
—Josh Buckhalter, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
That will require more conservative operations, Lee said, likening it to a phone charging more slowly on a weaker power source.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 19 Dec. 2025
The show’s creator, Darren Star, gave Tudum insight into the decision to have Emily step into a new role as head of Agence Grateau’s satellite office in Rome, likening the plot twist to Emily turning the page to a bigger, bolder chapter in her life.
—Madeleine Janz, PEOPLE, 18 Dec. 2025
However, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had attempted to preempt these issues, acknowledging in an opinion piece on Sunday that the system would not work flawlessly from the start, likening it to liquor laws.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 10 Dec. 2025
Chu praised Kerstein, likening the art of editing each musical number to a different puzzle.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 5 Nov. 2025
Whether likening transition to conversion therapy or calling trans women men, Rowling’s outlandish anti-trans rants have been making headlines for years.
—Quispe López, Them., 30 Oct. 2025
By likening the world to a stage and seeing ourselves as the actors living on it, this meta motif — while classical in concept — resonates strongly as a universal theme for those of us living today.
—Billboard Japan, Billboard, 17 Oct. 2025
Warren segued into a high-level definition of microplastics, likening the tiny particles to the size of a sesame seed.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 16 Oct. 2025
Former Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Ryan praised what Jones has brought to the table, likening him to Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield.
—Josh Buckhalter, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likening
Noun
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Target’s four-person meal costs less than $20, about the same as in 2024, but substitutes green beans and cream of mushroom soup for French bread and frozen corn — also not an apples-to-apples comparison.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
8 Nov. 2025
-
That was in comparison with people who took a placebo along with their routine cholesterol-lowering medications.—
Jacqueline Howard,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Bank of America goes beyond the sector approach to comparing Chinese retail plays to convertible bonds.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
11 Jan. 2026
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Singh urged jurors to view the protest within a broader historical context, comparing it to anti-apartheid divestment campaigns targeting South Africa.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In that analogy, Freeman already was the Stafford of this search.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
7 Jan. 2026
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The coincidence has invited an avalanche of historical analogies.—
Cristina Guevara,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Advertisement What’s more, equating darkness with evil and goodness with light may be a relatively recent invention.—
Veronique Greenwood,
Time,
21 Dec. 2025
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Buyers are a 50-50 male/female split with Generation X equating for approximately 50 percent of all buyers.—
Eileen Falkenberg-Hull,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Nov. 2025
Noun
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In these cases, the equations will predict a fluid moving in some unphysical, incomprehensible way — spinning into an impossibly fast vortex, for instance, or instantly reversing its flow.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
9 Jan. 2026
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Reliability is only half the equation; riders also need to feel safe to travel.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Likening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likening. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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