Synonyms of liken

liken

verb

ˈlī-kən 

1

as in to compare

to describe as similar

he generally likened a root canal to some horrible form of torture

Synonyms & Similar Words

• compare
• equate
• refer
• analogize
• bracket
• assimilate
• connect
• link
• relate
• couple
• allude
• associate
• parallel
• match
• equal

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• contrast

2

as in to equate

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

• compare
• equate
• identify
• connect
• relate
• correlate
• classify
• link
• match
• associate
• join
• categorize
• class
• group
• lump (together)
• sort
• grade
• assort

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• distinguish
• separate
• differentiate
• discriminate
• discern

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of liken

Kluwe criticized the movement as bigoted and dangerous to the nation’s institutions in a spirited rant likening MAGA to one of history’s darkest political organizations. —Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 20 Feb. 2025

Lightcap likened this usage to cloud services, which Amazon Web Services pioneered two decades ago. —Kate Rooney, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2025

Cynthia Johnson/Getty Images In an attempt to defend the Department of Government Efficiency's controversial moves, Elon Musk is likening the aggressive government overhaul to a Clinton-era task force that oversaw a shrinking of the federal workforce. —Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 19 Feb. 2025

In a November interview with the Guardian, U.N. Secretary General António Guterres likened a potential U.S. withdrawal to losing a limb or organ. —Simmone Shah, TIME, 18 Feb. 2025