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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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of likening
Philissa Cramer, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2026
Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson hated witnessing that moment, the kick that handed the Bears a 20-17 overtime loss to the Rams in the divisional round of the NFC playoffs, likening it to the stomach drop on a roller coaster’s rapid descent.
—Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2026
In November, the nonpartisan Atlantic Council published an analysis that identified pharmaceuticals as China's next trade weapon, likening the shift in biotech innovation to China to the offshoring of semiconductor chip manufacturing.
—Brad Quick, CNBC, 16 Jan. 2026
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
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
Verb
In the last decade, that norm has to some degree fallen away, with voices on both the right and left likening their opponents to Nazis.
—Philissa Cramer, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2026
Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson hated witnessing that moment, the kick that handed the Bears a 20-17 overtime loss to the Rams in the divisional round of the NFC playoffs, likening it to the stomach drop on a roller coaster’s rapid descent.
—Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2026
In November, the nonpartisan Atlantic Council published an analysis that identified pharmaceuticals as China's next trade weapon, likening the shift in biotech innovation to China to the offshoring of semiconductor chip manufacturing.
—Brad Quick, CNBC, 16 Jan. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likening
Noun
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The bill would also require businesses that sell delivery goods, such as grocery delivery providers or DoorDash, to list a comparison of the delivery price versus the regular price if the goods were to be bought in-person at the store.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
27 Jan. 2026
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History offers a useful comparison.—
Phil Kafarakis,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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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Flame analogies aside, the two discussed sustainable technology, raising human standards of living, and humanoid robots.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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Synch also draws an analogy from chemistry to describe its view of compatibility.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
27 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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For much of the 20th century, however, black holes were regarded largely as mathematical curiosities — solutions to Einstein's equations with no clear observational evidence.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Bieniemy did emerge from Reid’s shadow, but the second part of the equation proved difficult.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Likening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likening. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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