Liken Meaning in English
word
ˈɫaɪkən
LYE-kuhn
lˈaɪkən
LYE-kuhn
Definition
To compare something or someone to another thing, usually to show similarities.
Usage & Nuances
Formal or literary verb, usually followed by 'to' (e.g., 'liken X to Y'). Used to create analogies or illustrate similarities. Not used for casual or direct comparison like 'compare'. Common in essays, literature, and formal speech.
Spanish: comparar - asemejar aPortuguese (BR): comparar - assemelhar aPortuguese (PT): comparar - assemelhar aChinese (Simplified): 比作 - 类比Chinese (Traditional): 比作 - 類比Hindi: तुलना करना - समान माननाArabic: يشبّه - يقارن بـBengali: তুলনা করা (সাদৃশ্য দেখাতে) - উপমা টানাRussian: уподоблять - сравнивать (литературное)Japanese: （〜に）例える - なぞらえるVietnamese: ví - so sánh (theo cách ẩn dụ)Korean: 비유하다 - 비슷하다고 여기다Turkish: benzetmekUrdu: تشبیہ دینا - موازنہ کرنا (ادبی انداز میں)Indonesian: mengibaratkan - menyamakan (secara kiasan/formal)
Example Sentences
Many people liken life to a journey.
basic
You can liken her singing to that of a nightingale.
basic
The author likens hope to a candle in the dark.
basic
I wouldn’t liken this situation to last year—things are really different now.
natural
The coach likened her team’s progress to climbing a mountain—slow but steady.
natural
Some critics liken his latest movie to a modern fairy tale.
natural