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
In this way, Torres likens his comedy mind to an algorithm.
—
Adam Moss, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
Neuroscientist Paul Nuyujukian likens the brain to a stadium full of people.
—Berly McCoy, NPR, 15 Apr. 2026
If all the pieces of fuel that size and smaller — think grass, pine needles and twigs — are dry, a forest becomes much more fire-prone, says Stevens-Rumann, who likens wildfire likelihood to building a campfire.
—Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 15 Apr. 2026
And for those mere mortals, Shulman likens Suno to the gaming industry.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026
Solotar likens the current period in private credit to real estate funds after the pandemic.
—Robert Frank, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2026
Bunger likens the digestive tract to an elastic material like leggings.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 9 Apr. 2026
Hostert, of the University of Iowa, likens it to picking out the faint hum of an air conditioner over the din of Manhattan traffic.
—Quanta Magazine, 8 Apr. 2026
Mallerie likens the cultural pressure modern parents face to a kind of panic.
—Stephen Johnson, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
Adam Moss, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
Neuroscientist Paul Nuyujukian likens the brain to a stadium full of people.
—Berly McCoy, NPR, 15 Apr. 2026
If all the pieces of fuel that size and smaller — think grass, pine needles and twigs — are dry, a forest becomes much more fire-prone, says Stevens-Rumann, who likens wildfire likelihood to building a campfire.
—Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 15 Apr. 2026
And for those mere mortals, Shulman likens Suno to the gaming industry.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026
Solotar likens the current period in private credit to real estate funds after the pandemic.
—Robert Frank, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2026
Bunger likens the digestive tract to an elastic material like leggings.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 9 Apr. 2026
Hostert, of the University of Iowa, likens it to picking out the faint hum of an air conditioner over the din of Manhattan traffic.
—Quanta Magazine, 8 Apr. 2026
Mallerie likens the cultural pressure modern parents face to a kind of panic.
—Stephen Johnson, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likens
Verb
-
Smart compares its scope to WannaCry, the high-profile global ransomware attack that affected more than 200,000 computers in 2017.—
Jessica Klein,
PC Magazine,
11 Apr. 2026
-
For example, a type of design known as a cohort study — which tracks vaccinated and unvaccinated people over time, then compares the rates of illness — is far costlier and typically requires a larger sample size and longer follow-up period.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Wright equates climate-change activists to alarmists and has likened efforts by Democrats to combat global warming to Soviet-style communism.—
Anca Gurzu,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Likens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likens. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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