as in comparison
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1
as in comparing
to describe as similar
he generally likened a root canal to some horrible form of torture
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in equating
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of likening
Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
His supporters touted video of Stevens being booed at the convention, only to watch other Democrats openly resent the disruption — likening it to activists on the left who refused to vote for Democratic nominees in 2016 and 2024.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Desmond called the ballot measure merely a ploy to extend term limits for supervisors, likening the rest of the package to an effort to feed a pet medicine by hiding it in a snack.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026
But Mike’s attorney, Raymond Rafool, tells PEOPLE that Constance is contesting that, likening it to a bad deal signed years ago at a vulnerable moment.
—David Chiu, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
Graham defended the process, likening the prep work to what goes into hosting a concert.
—Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2026
Instead, scientists are likening it to the collapse of social bonds.
—Ryan Brennan
april 10, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026
Baumgartner sees potential for both to co-exist locally, likening it to how beer used to be available.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
The backlash quickly gained traction online, with some comparing the event to the infamous Fyre Festival and others likening it to the viral Glasgow debacle, Willy’s Chocolate Experience.
—Grace Bellinghausen, Sun Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
Fox News commentator Raymond Arroyo warned the public about the dangers of the language lesson, likening it to a gateway drug to Islam.
—Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
His supporters touted video of Stevens being booed at the convention, only to watch other Democrats openly resent the disruption — likening it to activists on the left who refused to vote for Democratic nominees in 2016 and 2024.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Desmond called the ballot measure merely a ploy to extend term limits for supervisors, likening the rest of the package to an effort to feed a pet medicine by hiding it in a snack.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026
But Mike’s attorney, Raymond Rafool, tells PEOPLE that Constance is contesting that, likening it to a bad deal signed years ago at a vulnerable moment.
—David Chiu, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
Graham defended the process, likening the prep work to what goes into hosting a concert.
—Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2026
Instead, scientists are likening it to the collapse of social bonds.
—Ryan Brennan
april 10, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026
Baumgartner sees potential for both to co-exist locally, likening it to how beer used to be available.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
The backlash quickly gained traction online, with some comparing the event to the infamous Fyre Festival and others likening it to the viral Glasgow debacle, Willy’s Chocolate Experience.
—Grace Bellinghausen, Sun Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for likening
Noun
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By comparison, Alexander Isak was 25, but Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz had just turned 23 and 22, and Milos Kerkez was 21.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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On the right, too, the comparison was clear.—
Deborah Danan,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The team further confirmed its validity by comparing predictions with experimental results across a wide range of material combinations.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
3 May 2026
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By comparing the current year’s allocation to the previous year’s allocation, a growth rate is determined.—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Noun
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Klemperer also noticed how often Nazi propaganda used sports analogies and superlatives to make its point.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Apr. 2026
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The analogy floating around is a burglar who can walk into any building, find every hidden weakness, unlock every door, and empty every safe.—
The AI Insider,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Contemporary theories of consciousness generally attempt to bridge this gap by equating consciousness with some measurable, physical property of the brain.—
Conor Feehly,
Big Think,
10 Mar. 2026
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The administration reframes the drug war as military conflict, equating cartels to terrorist groups like ISIS and prioritizing lethal force over law enforcement.—
Joshua Goodman,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But the hardware is only half of the equation.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
30 Apr. 2026
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Finding the common denominator between Scranton, Pennsylvania; Akron, Ohio; and Winston-Salem, North Carolina, might seem like an impossible equation.—
Katherine McLaughlin,
Architectural Digest,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Likening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/likening. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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