1
as in compared
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 identified
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 likened
Other White House officials, such as budget chief Russell Vought, had likened the project to the Palace of Versailles in France.
—
Steve Kopack, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026
The judge said the dam failure could not be likened, as lawyers for the plaintiffs argued, to the 2014-15 Flint water crisis in which key decisions by the state caused lead to leach from oil pipes and spoil the system.
—ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
Many have likened him to Bernie Madoff, because of the scale of his operation (the sheer amount of money lost by those who invested with him).
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
Mak’s wife, Kit Chan, 74, likened their home to ruins.
—Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
His instructor likened those people to James and NBA All-Star Steph Curry, prosecutors said.
—Michael R. Sisak, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
Given the number of viewers tuning in on the stream, Simon likened developing a Coachella set to performances like award shows and other TV spots, where the focus can’t be on the thousands watching in person, but the millions watching from the screen.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
One thing that sets him apart from a contemporary such as Pieter de Hooch, to whom he is instinctively likened, is a murmur that the stillness may not hold.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
The design immediately drew ridicule from some critics who likened the arches to a giant tarantula attacking downtown Miami, or the arches on a McDonald’s outlet.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026
Steve Kopack, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026
The judge said the dam failure could not be likened, as lawyers for the plaintiffs argued, to the 2014-15 Flint water crisis in which key decisions by the state caused lead to leach from oil pipes and spoil the system.
—ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
Many have likened him to Bernie Madoff, because of the scale of his operation (the sheer amount of money lost by those who invested with him).
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
Mak’s wife, Kit Chan, 74, likened their home to ruins.
—Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
His instructor likened those people to James and NBA All-Star Steph Curry, prosecutors said.
—Michael R. Sisak, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
Given the number of viewers tuning in on the stream, Simon likened developing a Coachella set to performances like award shows and other TV spots, where the focus can’t be on the thousands watching in person, but the millions watching from the screen.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
One thing that sets him apart from a contemporary such as Pieter de Hooch, to whom he is instinctively likened, is a murmur that the stillness may not hold.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
The design immediately drew ridicule from some critics who likened the arches to a giant tarantula attacking downtown Miami, or the arches on a McDonald’s outlet.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likened
Verb
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Spotify compared the feature to food labeling.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Apr. 2026
-
At just 9 pages—compared with 149 in 2020—the 2025 DGA marked a significant shift in both length and visual presentation.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Casseroles are equated with comfort.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
18 Apr. 2026
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In popular culture, resilience is often equated with grit, toughness or relentless positivity.—
Keith M. Bellizzi,
The Conversation,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Likened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likened. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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