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
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 likens
The daughter of a veteran tailor with over 40 years on the Row, and an artist and art teacher, Molly likens the role of cutters to architects and tailors to builders.
—
Caroline Reilly, Robb Report, 13 Mar. 2025
Snook likens the performance to diving into a very cold swimming pool.
—Hannah-Rose Yee, Vogue, 3 Mar. 2025
Guerrero likens their artistic partnership to the one between she and Losa—a study in difference uniting in a whole that is even greater than the sum of its parts.
—Helena Alonso Paisley, Miami Herald, 2 Mar. 2025
For instance, Pommier likens grenache to the cello—powerful, round and generous.
—Rachel King, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
Keller likens the effort to other consumer brands that successfully expanded into B2B, pointing to Amazon Web Services as a prime example.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2025
Herring likens the neglect that followed to leaving a sick patient untreated.
—Moises Velasquez-Manoff Robert Petkoff Emma Kehlbeck Zak Mouton, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2025
DeLeon likens the current emergence of lab diamonds to when faux-fur coats began trending.
—Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2025
Pauly likens a lizard in healthy chaparral to a human running through the open understory of a redwood forest.
—Anton Sorokin, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Feb. 2025
Caroline Reilly, Robb Report, 13 Mar. 2025
Snook likens the performance to diving into a very cold swimming pool.
—Hannah-Rose Yee, Vogue, 3 Mar. 2025
Guerrero likens their artistic partnership to the one between she and Losa—a study in difference uniting in a whole that is even greater than the sum of its parts.
—Helena Alonso Paisley, Miami Herald, 2 Mar. 2025
For instance, Pommier likens grenache to the cello—powerful, round and generous.
—Rachel King, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
Keller likens the effort to other consumer brands that successfully expanded into B2B, pointing to Amazon Web Services as a prime example.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2025
Herring likens the neglect that followed to leaving a sick patient untreated.
—Moises Velasquez-Manoff Robert Petkoff Emma Kehlbeck Zak Mouton, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2025
DeLeon likens the current emergence of lab diamonds to when faux-fur coats began trending.
—Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2025
Pauly likens a lizard in healthy chaparral to a human running through the open understory of a redwood forest.
—Anton Sorokin, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likens
compares
Verb
-
Post your solve grid in the comments and see how your score compares with the editor’s rating, and one another’s.—
New York Times Games,
New York Times,
30 Dec. 2024
-
When Harry compares Dex going after a professional killer to taking on Michael Jordan one-on-one, Dex has no idea who that is.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
27 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Likens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likens. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share