liken

verb

lik·​en ˈlī-kən How to pronounce liken (audio)
likened; likening ˈlī-kə-niŋ How to pronounce liken (audio)
ˈlīk-niŋ

transitive verb

: to represent as similar : compare

Examples of liken in a Sentence

he generally likened a root canal to some horrible form of torture I think that we can liken the two pianists, at least in terms of natural talent.
Recent Examples on the Web But while many nationalist users cheered Wu on, others came to Mo’s defense likening the attack to the specter of Mao’s tumultuous Cultural Revolution, when intellectuals and artists were denounced, publicly humiliated and beaten by young Red Guards. Nectar Gan, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024 Ziggy Marley spoke about the disparate box office success and lukewarm critical reviews of the Bob Marley: One Love biopic in an interview on Thursday, likening the project to the critical consensus around his late father’s legendary album Exodus. Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2024 Burns, who once oversaw the prosecution of the Arellano Félix brothers who long controlled Tijuana’s drug trade, likened Barreiro to the lieutenants in the Arellano Félix Organization who worked just underneath the brothers. Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2024 At the fundraiser Wednesday night, Biden criticized Trump for likening his situation to that of Navalny, whose death in an Arctic penal colony has seen Biden and other Western leaders point the finger at the Kremlin. Alexander Smith, NBC News, 22 Feb. 2024 Lin, who has a degree in bioinformatics, uses a circle motif that likens the four central characters to cells viewed on a microscope slide, and compares the coursing of blood through veins to people’s transit through city streets. Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Feb. 2024 Masters likened the changes to tweaks in a stump speech, the quick pitch to voters that politicians deliver while on the campaign trail. Laura Gersony, The Arizona Republic, 28 Feb. 2024 Elmendorf likens the appellate court decision to the Washington Legislature’s sweeping overhaul of its environmental quality act last year, also meant to minimize delays in housing development. Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2024 Yoon has likened the move by doctors to walk off the job as holding hostage the lives and health of people. Jenny Lee, Fortune Asia, 22 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'liken.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of liken was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near liken

Cite this Entry

“Liken.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liken. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

liken

verb
lik·​en ˈlī-kən How to pronounce liken (audio)
likened; likening ˈlīk-(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce liken (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on liken

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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