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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of likens
Bharat likens the novel system to adding a bridge to a highway—like interstate traffic, blood travels from the right side of the heart to the lungs, then to the left side of the heart and then on to the rest of the body.
—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 29 Jan. 2026
Takata likens having an ICD implanted to having an airbag in a car.
—Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Jan. 2026
DaCosta likens the actions of Jimmy and his acolytes to those of Major Henry West (Christopher Eccleston) and his soldiers, who turned to enslaving and raping women in the wake of society's collapse in the first movie.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 16 Jan. 2026
McGilchrist at one point likens time to a circle and finally lands on a spiral, but that doesn’t fix the problem.
—Christian Wiman, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Ray likens the security of using a publicly available AI tool to public parking.
—Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 30 Dec. 2025
Another line of attack likens the show to when bachelorette parties invade gay bars — a practice frequently scowled upon by gay patrons.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 22 Dec. 2025
Urban likens it to Jackie Chan's style of combat, the way the Rush Hour and Karate Kid star's fast-paced, precise martial arts moves are paired with hijinks.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Dec. 2025
Overall, Hribick likens the 12-3-30 to a half-hour hike.
—Julia Ries Wexler, Outside, 13 Dec. 2025
Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 29 Jan. 2026
Takata likens having an ICD implanted to having an airbag in a car.
—Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Jan. 2026
DaCosta likens the actions of Jimmy and his acolytes to those of Major Henry West (Christopher Eccleston) and his soldiers, who turned to enslaving and raping women in the wake of society's collapse in the first movie.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 16 Jan. 2026
McGilchrist at one point likens time to a circle and finally lands on a spiral, but that doesn’t fix the problem.
—Christian Wiman, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Ray likens the security of using a publicly available AI tool to public parking.
—Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 30 Dec. 2025
Another line of attack likens the show to when bachelorette parties invade gay bars — a practice frequently scowled upon by gay patrons.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 22 Dec. 2025
Urban likens it to Jackie Chan's style of combat, the way the Rush Hour and Karate Kid star's fast-paced, precise martial arts moves are paired with hijinks.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Dec. 2025
Overall, Hribick likens the 12-3-30 to a half-hour hike.
—Julia Ries Wexler, Outside, 13 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likens
Verb
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Let’s examine some figures to see how this payout capability compares with the biggest capital-return machines in the market.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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The chatbot compares product features, writes recommendations, and helps refine purchases.—
Paulina Likos,
CNBC,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In a world that equates modernization with survival, looking backward can feel counterproductive.—
Paula de la Cruz,
Forbes.com,
31 Dec. 2025
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Without institutional support, parents are left with a narrative of drudgery—one that equates children with the loss of time, money, and opportunity.—
Lauren Hilgers,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Likens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likens. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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