1
as in compares
to describe as similar
he generally likened a root canal to some horrible form of torture
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in identifies
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
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Recent Examples of likens
So when Frazier likens the present-day Knicks to his championship-winning teams of the 1970s, it shouldn’t be taken lightly.
—
Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 May 2026
Californian winemaker David Coventry, who made the move from Monterrey to Mountain Brook Vineyards in 2022, likens the region to Bordeaux, with Chardonnay, Viognier, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot thriving alongside the region’s star grape, Petit Manseng.
—Belinda Luksic, Southern Living, 2 May 2026
Looking back, Knight likens the near-romance to a fleeting moment in time.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
In voice-over, Aunt Lydia likens teaching her Gilead pupils — her Plums and her Handmaids before them — to preparing a steak.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2026
Kalaichandran likens a healthy relationship with your wearable to Goldilocks.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 24 Apr. 2026
SeaWorld likens the experience to the LED room in its Jewels of the Sea attraction that brings to life various shapes and sizes of jellyfish.
—Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Apr. 2026
Greenberg likens it to making the home into a fortress without looking like one.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2026
Neuroscientist Paul Nuyujukian likens the brain to a stadium full of people.
—Berly McCoy, NPR, 15 Apr. 2026
Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 May 2026
Californian winemaker David Coventry, who made the move from Monterrey to Mountain Brook Vineyards in 2022, likens the region to Bordeaux, with Chardonnay, Viognier, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot thriving alongside the region’s star grape, Petit Manseng.
—Belinda Luksic, Southern Living, 2 May 2026
Looking back, Knight likens the near-romance to a fleeting moment in time.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
In voice-over, Aunt Lydia likens teaching her Gilead pupils — her Plums and her Handmaids before them — to preparing a steak.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2026
Kalaichandran likens a healthy relationship with your wearable to Goldilocks.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 24 Apr. 2026
SeaWorld likens the experience to the LED room in its Jewels of the Sea attraction that brings to life various shapes and sizes of jellyfish.
—Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Apr. 2026
Greenberg likens it to making the home into a fortress without looking like one.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2026
Neuroscientist Paul Nuyujukian likens the brain to a stadium full of people.
—Berly McCoy, NPR, 15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likens
Verb
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Green compares playing the game in public to pulling a fire alarm, as either situation can draw a large police presence.—
Rebecca Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
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Today, Giselle is 9 years old and Odette is 7, and Stokes compares her relationship with them to that of an aunt with her nieces.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Lewkowitz pushed back against the traditional value proposition that equates value with the lowest possible price.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Sara Aparacio, a resident cleaning expert at Homeaglow, equates scrubbing an appliance with an abrasive sponge to rubbing it with very fine sandpaper.—
Maria Sabella,
The Spruce,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Likens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likens. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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