How to Use liken to in a Sentence

liken to

phrasal verb
Definition of liken tonext
  • This pattern can be likened to the ebb and flow of ocean tides.
    — Jennifer Sodini, Rolling Stone, 12 June 2023
  • The links in her gown could be likened to an intricate web.
    — Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 13 Feb. 2024
  • Before the war started, Cochran was likened to Amelia Earhart.
    — Time, 1 Aug. 2023
  • The mulch is used to keep weeds at bay and for a technique Ahmad likens to making lasagna.
    — Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 4 May 2023
  • He’s often likened to a ninja by the NBC broadcast booth, and for good reason.
    — Nathan Brown, The Indianapolis Star, 26 Apr. 2023
  • In some ways, this post-Deng period can be likened to the United States’ Progressive era.
    — Yuen Yuen Ang, Foreign Affairs, 22 June 2021
  • The con is called pig butchering — so named because victims are likened to hogs, fattened up for slaughter.
    — Ken Dilanian, NBC News, 5 Feb. 2024
  • The size of the crowd could be likened to the flock that filled the same building for Mikey Williams, a former internet sensation and the first high school athlete to sign a shoe deal, in the 2022 event.
    — Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 13 Jan. 2024
  • Lek’s paintings are so layered that they have been likened to quilts — rich patchworks that remind viewers how much more there is to see.
    — The Editors, Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec. 2023
  • The movie, in its totally kitsch way, frames itself as a thriller, with the competition to create the Pop-Tart likened to the race to the moon shot or the Manhattan Project.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 3 May 2024
  • This grain has a unique taste that is often likened to that of wheat but with a slightly sweeter profile and a more hearty, full-bodied texture.
    — Lauren Manaker Ms, Rdn, Ld, Verywell Health, 17 Oct. 2023
  • At a courtroom lectern, Etienne expressed her frustration with the plea deal, which her attorneys have likened to a slap on the wrist.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 28 May 2024
  • The level of adoration among his fans has often been likened to that of a religious figure.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN, 11 Aug. 2023
  • Those killed, who ranged in age from 9 to 27, died from compression asphyxia, which an expert likened to being crushed by a car.
    — Juan Lozano, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Sep. 2023
  • Ohtani, 29, who has been likened to the legendary Babe Ruth for his ability to hit home runs and pitch at elite levels, has also helped lift sponsors’ share prices in the past.
    — Aya Wagatsuma, Fortune, 11 Dec. 2023
  • Locating specific objects across such a wide swath of seafloor has been likened to searching for the smallest needles in the largest haystack.
    — Rosanna Xia, Los Angeles Times, 5 Jan. 2024
  • Facebook Marketplace could be likened to an online garage sale.
    — Brittany Anas, House Beautiful, 1 July 2023
  • One of the most common causes of facial swelling is known as angioedema, a condition that experts liken to hives.
    — Erica Sweeney, Good Housekeeping, 4 May 2023
  • The global outreach suggests China is trying to recruit more countries to its side in what has often been likened to a new Cold War.
    — John Liu, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2023
  • The James Beard Award, given in several categories, has been likened to the Oscars of the restaurant industry.
    — Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 9 June 2024
  • In 2016, the European Commission first introduced the idea of a new pre-entry requirement that many likened to a tourist visa.
    — Jessica Poitevien, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2023
  • Its fat, fuzzy flower buds, likened to certain insect antennae, have unique charm.
    — Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 18 May 2024
  • The faults, which Marshall likened to a series of circuit breakers tripping at the same time, were remarkable for the amount of power lost, a third of the usual 120 volts coursing through lines.
    — Jennifer McDermott, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2023
  • At this stage in its development, AI has been likened to a young child that is still learning the contours of the world, hungry for data and always wanting more.
    — Linda Kinstler, Washington Post, 20 June 2024
  • The official cause of death was compression asphyxia, which an expert likened to being crushed by a car.
    — Juan Lozano, Anchorage Daily News, 30 June 2023
  • But Saturday night marked the first time this season that all three right-handers pitched in the same game, a luxury Roberts likened to receiving a Christmas gift.
    — Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2024
  • The whole system, which has been likened to an anvil for splitting N2, requires at least ten to twenty genes (no one is quite sure of the minimum), though some bacteria use fifty or more.
    — Matthew Hutson, The New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2024
  • The resort reproduces an ancient Apulian town and farmhouse in a project that some locals have likened to a Mediterranean Potemkin village.
    — Emma Bubola, New York Times, 11 June 2024
  • This area has been producing grapes since the 18th century and has been likened to Champagne for its excellence of crisp wines like chardonnay and sauvignon blanc.
    — Cailey Rizzo, Travel + Leisure, 15 June 2023
  • To make cyborg cells, the researchers infused live Escherichia coli with a hydrogel, which Tan likens to a dense mass of wet molecular noodles.
    — Elise Cutts, Scientific American, 17 Apr. 2023

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

Last Updated: