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
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
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
Verb
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
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
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
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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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Holding back tears, Marta called out the uselessness of comparing this season to last year’s championship run.—
Tamerra Griffin,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
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That’s based on data compiled by Cambridge Mobile Telematics, which provides driving information to auto insurers, and contextualized by Insurify, which has a website for comparing insurance quotes.—
Eric D. Lawrence,
Freep.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The analogy captures the project’s focus on miniaturization and control at microscopic scales, essential qualities in the world of quantum technology.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Nov. 2025
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Another good analogy is to think of the main ingredient—in this case, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec—as the meat of the wine, with small amounts of additional grapes acting as herbs or spices.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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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
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By equating political opposition with terrorism, the administration is also militarizing America’s domestic landscape.—
Jason M. Blazakis,
Mercury News,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Rustin drilled Selva one last time on complex equations and imperial history.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
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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 15 Nov. 2025.
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