likening 1 of 2

likening

2 of 2

verb

present participle of liken
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

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
Verb
What readers are saying The comments reflect a strong opposition to the idea of live-streaming an execution, with many criticizing it as barbaric and likening it to historical spectacles of violence. — Anthony Faiola, Washington Post, 10 Oct. 2026 For his part, Khrushchev readily admitted to such behavior in his memoirs, likening his noisy antics to those of revolutionary protesters in the Duma, an imperial Russian legislative body. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Oct. 2026 In May, after one detainee was stabbed and the facility was put on lockdown, 51 detainees signed a letter criticizing the conditions and likening them to torture. — Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 27 Sep. 2026 Forrest sees it as an investment, similar to Fortescue’s Real Zero plan, that will pay off in time, in this case after the war, likening Ukraine’s prospects to West Germany’s economic boom after World War II. — Vivienne Walt, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026 The process inside the ‘Pentagon’ Inside the walls of Nationals Park, some began likening the process to living in a house while still building it. — Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026 Marques Brownlee took issue with Haapoja likening generative AI to the Canon EOS 5D Mark II (an iconic DSLR known for making shooting in 1080p full HD more affordable for independent filmmakers). — Charles Pulliam-Moore, The Verge, 21 Aug. 2026 His bravado in attacking opponents’ campaign donors has earned him the moniker Meek Mill, likening his attacks to the rapper’s’ spitfire energy fueled from his time as a battle rapper. — Miami Herald, 12 Aug. 2026 Prediction market platforms and their proponents say trading contracts on the markets is not the same as betting, likening it instead to trading on the stock market. — Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likening
Noun
  • In comparison, 58% say state and local governments improve their lives, while 56% say the same of businesses and 77% of charitable and advocacy groups.
    — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The company also says technological improvements across the 737 MAX program reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by 20%, without specifying the comparison baseline in the announcement.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The Post measured affordability by comparing what a basic family budget costs in each county with what households there earn.
    — Amy L. Wong, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
  • My patient isn’t just comparing herself to other single mothers working two jobs and struggling with the day-to-day activities of life.
    — Kirsten Balin, STAT, 26 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Here the analogy with water waves isn’t quite right, but another analogy familiar from everyday life helps.
    — Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • But if the Dodgers don't somehow surge back from 0-3 and become just the second team in MLB history to overcome such a deficit in an LCS series, the Godfather analogy could hold up remarkably well.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Magnus Taylor, deputy Horn of Africa director at the International Crisis Group, cautioned against equating the loss of towns with an end to fighting.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
  • However, other analysts have expressed concerns about assuming that take-or-pay legal structures are iron-clad and about equating backlogs with revenue.
    — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Machines, too, can type emails, solve equations and spit out data as directed.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Transportation costs and freight optimization also need to be part of that equation, starting with greater cost transparency and understanding freight separately from the cost of goods.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Likening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likening. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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