liken

/ˈlaɪkən/

/ˈlaɪkɪn/

Other forms: likened; likens; likening

When you liken one thing to another, you compare them and point out what they have in common. You might liken your long walk to school to your ancestors' voyage across the ocean to the New World.

When you equate two things, or emphasize their similarities, you liken them. You could liken your experience at the dentist to torture, or liken your dad's skill at baking pies to that of Rembrandt painting a portrait. Your grandmother might liken her romance with your grandfather to a fairy tale, and you could then liken the day you spent listening to her stories to watching a long, dull movie.

Definitions of liken

1. verb

   consider or describe as similar, equal, or analogous
   synonyms: compare, equate

   type of:

   consider, study

   give careful consideration to