Synonyms

liken

American

[lahy-kuhn] / ˈlaɪ kən /

verb (used with object)

to represent as similar or like; compare.

to liken someone to a weasel.

liken British

/ ˈlaɪkən /

verb

(tr) to see or represent as the same or similar; compare

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

unlikened adjective

Etymology

Origin of liken

First recorded in 1275–1325, liken is from the Middle English word liknen. See like ¹, -en ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Photographs on local media show mountains engulfed by flames, with some residents likening the blazes to "volcanoes erupting", according to local news outlet Khaosod.

From BBC

Inman Grant said "powerful" tech interests were always expected to push back against the laws, likening their efforts to "Big Tobacco".

From Barron's

Venture capitalist Bill Gurley likens today’s token economy to the dot-com era of selling dollars for 85 cents.

From The Wall Street Journal

At the same time, Verstappen has been vocal about the new rules, which he has likened to "Mario Kart" and "Formula E on steroids" as a result of the new engines.

From BBC

Micron Technology shares were on pace to snap a six-session losing streak Friday, with an analyst likening the recent market freakout over memory stocks to last winter’s DeepSeek saga that ultimately proved a blip.

From MarketWatch

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023