as in comparison
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
1
as in comparing
to describe as similar
he generally likened a root canal to some horrible form of torture
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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 likening
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
Brad Nessler and Gary Danielson likening UCLA QB Nico Iamaleava’s play to that of Vince Young.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
He's posted a video likening it to the Grim Reaper.
—Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2025
Yet likening aid to an insurance policy or a market venture misses the greatest strategic value of supporting others.
—Don Graves, Foreign Affairs, 24 Sep. 2025
High-rise residents in the neighborhood complained too, likening the ads beaming from the billboard to something from Las Vegas or Hong Kong.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2025
Such comparisons are too easily drawn, with too much self-righteousness, as though the guilt for what was done to the Jews could be lightened just a little by likening them to their own murderers.
—Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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
Brad Nessler and Gary Danielson likening UCLA QB Nico Iamaleava’s play to that of Vince Young.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
He's posted a video likening it to the Grim Reaper.
—Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2025
Yet likening aid to an insurance policy or a market venture misses the greatest strategic value of supporting others.
—Don Graves, Foreign Affairs, 24 Sep. 2025
High-rise residents in the neighborhood complained too, likening the ads beaming from the billboard to something from Las Vegas or Hong Kong.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2025
Such comparisons are too easily drawn, with too much self-righteousness, as though the guilt for what was done to the Jews could be lightened just a little by likening them to their own murderers.
—Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likening
Noun
-
By comparison, close to 20% of adults in the United States used tobacco in 2022, and almost 12% of adults in the United Kingdom were smokers in 2023.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
-
These figures, while shocking, unfortunately pale in comparison to those from the recent war, now widely recognized as a genocide.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Book directly with vendors While third-party sites are great for tracking trends and comparing prices, travelers should be mindful of extra fees that can push them over budget.—
Essence,
Essence,
24 Oct. 2025
-
If approved, the program would measure improvements by comparing passenger count data to fare collection data, according to the release.—
Claudia Levens,
jsonline.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This produces an incredibly dense representation of usages and meanings, in which analogy becomes a matter of geometry.—
James Somers,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Regarding the question about the future of sports betting, especially the prop betting market, King gave a perfect analogy.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The endorsement comes as Cuomo has lobbed increasingly caustic attacks on Mamdani, equating his criticism of Israel with antisemitism and warning of a city beset by crime, hatred and disorder if his opponent wins.—
Anthony Izaguirre,
Fortune,
24 Oct. 2025
-
By equating political opposition with terrorism, the administration is also militarizing America’s domestic landscape.—
Jason M. Blazakis,
Mercury News,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Rustin drilled Selva one last time on complex equations and imperial history.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Most people who study physics can only refer to the Lorentz transformation’s equations and plug numbers in, not explain why times dilate and lengths contract, particularly near the speed of light.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Likening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likening. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share