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
• differentiate
• separate
• discriminate
• discern

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of liken

For his part, Khrushchev readily admitted to such behavior in his memoirs, likening his noisy antics to those of revolutionary protesters in the Duma, an imperial Russian legislative body. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Oct. 2026

Showalter jokingly likens the manuscript to the Ring in The Lord of the Rings. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026

Justice Elena Kagan, appearing sympathetic to Boulder's argument, likened the lawsuit to major class-action cases against tobacco companies and opioid drug manufacturers in states hit hard by fallout from widespread use of those products. — ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026

The practice seems to have been abandoned by 1860, but Plunkett likened it to the virtual tours or walkthroughs employed by online real estate listing services like Redfin, Zillow, or Rightmove in the UK. — ArsTechnica, 2 Oct. 2026