as in like
positive regard for something
I have a liking for dark chocolate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in wanting
to wish to have
I'd like another slice of pizza, but I've already eaten more than I should have
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in preferring
to show partiality toward
I like romantic comedies more than action movies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in enjoying
to take pleasure in
an adventuresome young woman who likes skydiving
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in pleasing
to see fit
feel free to order whatever you like from the menu
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of liking
Sam McDowell 8, Kansas City Star, 8 Feb. 2026
Simply stir together all the ingredients in a bowl and garnish to your liking.
—Mary Alice Russell, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
The View cohost Sunny Hostin has slammed Kid Rock over the recording artist's Bad Bunny criticism ahead of Sunday's Super Bowl halftime show — particularly calling out Kid Rock's problematic lyrics about liking underage girls.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for liking
Noun
The other, Damari, the middle child, has taken a liking for a different team.
—Sam McDowell 8, Kansas City Star, 8 Feb. 2026
Simply stir together all the ingredients in a bowl and garnish to your liking.
—Mary Alice Russell, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
There’s wanting and liking—and then there’s needing.
—Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
The View cohost Sunny Hostin has slammed Kid Rock over the recording artist's Bad Bunny criticism ahead of Sunday's Super Bowl halftime show — particularly calling out Kid Rock's problematic lyrics about liking underage girls.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for liking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for liking
Noun
-
Davidson was not personally nominated at the BAFTAs, but the actor who played him in I Swear, Robert Aramayo, staged a shocking upset when he was announced as the winner in the Best Actor category, defeating the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothée Chalamet.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Feb. 2026
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As well as selling to the execs who are buying programs or formats for their channel or platform, the likes of Banijay Rights can now have a more direct relationship with the people watching their shows.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Again, without at all wanting to be.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 Feb. 2026
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If your child brings up wanting a smiley piercing, this is a natural opening to talk about why doing something like this at home, without professional training or sterile equipment, carries serious risks.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Chinese authorities reportedly turned down the idea, preferring instead to deal with European leaders one by one, and Macron agreed to come without his EU counterpart.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
18 Feb. 2026
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Both Waller and Miran voted against the January decision, preferring instead another quarter-point cut.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As if three promotions in as many years weren’t enough for Wrexham, the north Wales club co-owned by Hollywood stars Rob Mac and Ryan Reynolds are enjoying another memorable campaign.—
Graham Ruthven,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2026
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Ferreira dispensed with the usual pablum, about not focusing on results, taking it one day at a time, enjoying the journey and what have you.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The cheese sauce uses only six ingredients and helps take this crowd-pleasing casserole to the next level in flavor and fill.—
Nellah Bailey McGough,
Southern Living,
20 Feb. 2026
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Liu, who won the 2025 world championship with the same crowd-pleasing program, returned to the sport in 2024 with the sole objective of sharing her art.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
No matter your preference, understanding what sets each type apart puts you in a better position to build a home that’s both comfortable and well-styled.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Police repeatedly shut roads to give preference to VIP movement at the summit, creating chaos in the city of 20 million people.—
Aditya Soni,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The requirement was intended to prevent broadcasters from favoring one candidate over another and to foster robust political debate that would serve the public interest.—
Seth Ashley,
The Conversation,
22 Feb. 2026
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Activists say favoring coal makes little sense at a time when renewables are cleaner, cheaper and reliable.—
Michael Phillis,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Slater is a virtuosic physical actor, and his evocation of the mime’s precision, silliness, and grace—the elastic faces, the acrobatic tumbles, the fingers that bloom into flowers, then wilt, then bloom again — is painstaking and loving in its observance.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
23 Feb. 2026
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Normally a fun-loving guy, his confidence obviously waned at the end of the ’25 season, and the Cubs need the old Imanaga to return in ’26.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Liking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/liking. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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