liken

[lahy-kuhn]

verb (used with object)

1. to represent as similar or like; compare.

   to liken someone to a weasel.

liken

/ ˈlaɪkən /

verb

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

Other Word Forms

• unlikened adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of liken¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of liken¹

C14: from _like ¹ (adj)

Example Sentences

She likens this phenomenon to the slow but steady growth of Club Gay Gardens.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“I liken it to the creation of the Internet or the cell phone. It’s impossible to overstate the importance of The Beatles.”

Read more on Salon

Given the increasingly dire warnings about artificial intelligence, however, they might also be likened to a cage.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The judge also quoted Fifth Third’s lawyer, who likened accepting the bourbon barrels as the loan payment to “being asked to catch a falling knife.”

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Mr McGowan-Lowe likened cutting spending while setting up a new radio station to "buying a sports car and then trying to pay less on the mortgage to afford it".

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• equate 
• relate