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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Recent Examples of likening
Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Desmond called the ballot measure merely a ploy to extend term limits for supervisors, likening the rest of the package to an effort to feed a pet medicine by hiding it in a snack.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026
But Mike’s attorney, Raymond Rafool, tells PEOPLE that Constance is contesting that, likening it to a bad deal signed years ago at a vulnerable moment.
—David Chiu, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
Graham defended the process, likening the prep work to what goes into hosting a concert.
—Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2026
Instead, scientists are likening it to the collapse of social bonds.
—Ryan Brennan
april 10, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026
Baumgartner sees potential for both to co-exist locally, likening it to how beer used to be available.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
The backlash quickly gained traction online, with some comparing the event to the infamous Fyre Festival and others likening it to the viral Glasgow debacle, Willy’s Chocolate Experience.
—Grace Bellinghausen, Sun Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
The Better Cotton Initiative, the world’s largest sustainable cotton scheme, has employed the method since its inception, likening it to renewable energy credits.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
His supporters touted video of Stevens being booed at the convention, only to watch other Democrats openly resent the disruption — likening it to activists on the left who refused to vote for Democratic nominees in 2016 and 2024.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Desmond called the ballot measure merely a ploy to extend term limits for supervisors, likening the rest of the package to an effort to feed a pet medicine by hiding it in a snack.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026
But Mike’s attorney, Raymond Rafool, tells PEOPLE that Constance is contesting that, likening it to a bad deal signed years ago at a vulnerable moment.
—David Chiu, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
Graham defended the process, likening the prep work to what goes into hosting a concert.
—Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2026
Instead, scientists are likening it to the collapse of social bonds.
—Ryan Brennan
april 10, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026
Baumgartner sees potential for both to co-exist locally, likening it to how beer used to be available.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
The backlash quickly gained traction online, with some comparing the event to the infamous Fyre Festival and others likening it to the viral Glasgow debacle, Willy’s Chocolate Experience.
—Grace Bellinghausen, Sun Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
The Better Cotton Initiative, the world’s largest sustainable cotton scheme, has employed the method since its inception, likening it to renewable energy credits.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likening
Noun
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Baker has long been underpaid in comparison with his reputation and influence in the market.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026
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So the apples-to-apples comparison is between inflators of like kinds, whether that's internal battery or external.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Shanahan said Height did a little bit of everything in college and will likely have multiple roles for the 49ers, comparing him to Byron Young and Jalon Walker, who played under new 49ers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris with the Los Angeles Rams and Atlanta Falcons, respectively.—
Vic Tafur,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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Families flock to the Cape for mini-golfing, traipsing around sand dunes, comparing ice cream stands, gobbling up lobster rolls, spotting whales, and simply admiring the gray cedar shake houses adorned with colorful buoys.—
Kara Williams,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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But the Cold War analogy cuts in both directions.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
19 Apr. 2026
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That’s probably enough baseball talk for the moment, but the question still stands and the analogy applies to a broad range of job seekers.—
Amy Lindgren,
Twin Cities,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Contemporary theories of consciousness generally attempt to bridge this gap by equating consciousness with some measurable, physical property of the brain.—
Conor Feehly,
Big Think,
10 Mar. 2026
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The administration reframes the drug war as military conflict, equating cartels to terrorist groups like ISIS and prioritizing lethal force over law enforcement.—
Joshua Goodman,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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However, Winfried Lohmiller and Jean-Jacques Slotine at the Nonlinear Systems Laboratory at MIT have derived a new formulation that can help scientists arrive at the same solution as the Schrödinger equation, commonly used in quantum mechanics, while using principles of classical physics.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Apr. 2026
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The statute of limitations is another critical variable in this equation.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Likening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likening. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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