Liken to
verb
To compare someone or something to another, seeing them as similar in some way.
He likened his need for his phone to a smoker's need for cigarettes.

Often appears as...
- liken someone to
- liken something to
verb
To compare someone or something to another, seeing them as similar in some way.
He likened his need for his phone to a smoker's need for cigarettes.

Often appears as...
- liken someone to
- liken something to
Definition 1 of 1

Visual Similarity
Use 'liken to' when highlighting visual or conceptual similarities between different things.

She likened the clouds to fluffy cotton balls.
Exaggeration Caution
'Liken to' sometimes exaggerates similarities for dramatic effect or humor.

He likened his tiny apartment to a spacious palace.
Unexpected Comparisons
The phrase can be used to draw novel or surprising comparisons that aren't immediately obvious.

The poet likened the sound of rain to a symphony.
Visual Similarity
Use 'liken to' when highlighting visual or conceptual similarities between different things.

She likened the clouds to fluffy cotton balls.
Exaggeration Caution
'Liken to' sometimes exaggerates similarities for dramatic effect or humor.

He likened his tiny apartment to a spacious palace.
Unexpected Comparisons
The phrase can be used to draw novel or surprising comparisons that aren't immediately obvious.

The poet likened the sound of rain to a symphony.
Visual Similarity
Use 'liken to' when highlighting visual or conceptual similarities between different things.

She likened the clouds to fluffy cotton balls.
Exaggeration Caution
'Liken to' sometimes exaggerates similarities for dramatic effect or humor.

He likened his tiny apartment to a spacious palace.
Unexpected Comparisons
The phrase can be used to draw novel or surprising comparisons that aren't immediately obvious.

The poet likened the sound of rain to a symphony.
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