1
as in compares
to describe as similar
he generally likened a root canal to some horrible form of torture
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of likens
One was the billionaire businessman Thomas Kaplan, who likens Turner to a combination of John Muir and Teddy Roosevelt.
—
Todd Wilkinson, Denver Post, 27 May 2026
In the article, Rayport likens the ideal marketing campaign to a virus—one that strikes quickly, costs little, and works effectively.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 May 2026
So naturally, the thought of turning Hypergnosis into an ethical company doesn’t compute, even to a seemingly conscientious person like Harper, who likens Anushka’s vision to buying a jet and asking where the brakes are.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 10 May 2026
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
Balasubramaniyan likens Pindrop’s technology to a spam filter.
—Time Contributors, Time, 27 Apr. 2026
Kalaichandran likens a healthy relationship with your wearable to Goldilocks.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 24 Apr. 2026
Todd Wilkinson, Denver Post, 27 May 2026
In the article, Rayport likens the ideal marketing campaign to a virus—one that strikes quickly, costs little, and works effectively.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 May 2026
So naturally, the thought of turning Hypergnosis into an ethical company doesn’t compute, even to a seemingly conscientious person like Harper, who likens Anushka’s vision to buying a jet and asking where the brakes are.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 10 May 2026
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
Balasubramaniyan likens Pindrop’s technology to a spam filter.
—Time Contributors, Time, 27 Apr. 2026
Kalaichandran likens a healthy relationship with your wearable to Goldilocks.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 24 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likens
Verb
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The visualisation below looks across the manager’s three-year spell at Bournemouth, and compares the high-intensity distance covered by each of his players with the league average across that same period.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
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The New Orleans native compares his decision-making process to having only one dollar to spend in the MCU and wanting to use it wisely.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2026
Verb
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Five Hundred Years of Religion in America means this is not just another history going back to 1776, and this is not a book that equates religion with Christianity.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
-
The webpage equates undocumented immigrants with extraterrestrials.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Likens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likens. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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