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

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.”

Read more on Wall Street Journal

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

This includes expanding programs that provide payment — in the form of debit cards, which Burke has likened to an “Amazon gift card” — to parents to cobble together customized educational plans for their children.

Read more on Salon

Stevenson likened it to a doctor giving a kid steroids so he could be better at football.

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She said she believed the theft may have been a part of a coping mechanism and likened herself to a foster child who may hoard items or food as a means of soothing themselves.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• equate 
• relate