likens
Says they're similar
Likens means compares or draws a similarity between things: She likens raising teenagers to herding cats.
The verb almost always appears with "to" and suggests the speaker finds the comparison apt or illuminating.
It's the verb form of "like" in its comparative sense, not its affection sense.
Evaluates relative qualities
- equatesTreats as equivalent
- parallelsPoints of similarity
- associatesConnected persons or links
- relatesConnects or recounts
connects · matches · aligns · correlates · juxtaposes · links · approximates · mirrors
Implied identity comparison
- simileComparison via "as"
- allegorySymbolic tale with deeper meaning
- parableInstructive allegorical narrative
- fableMoral tale with animals
symbolism · imagery · allusion · trope · figurative · personification · metonymy · synecdoche
Likeness between things
- affinityNatural liking or attraction
- correspondenceExchanged written communication
- akinRelated in nature
- comparableAble to be likened
analogous · parallel · equivalent · congruent · homologous · matching · corresponding · approximate
compares
Evaluates relative qualities
- equatesTreats as equivalent
- parallelsPoints of similarity
- associatesConnected persons or links
relates · connects · matches · aligns · correlates · juxtaposes · links · approximates · mirrors · reflects
metaphor
Implied identity comparison
- simileComparison via "as"
- allegorySymbolic tale with deeper meaning
- parableInstructive allegorical narrative
fable · symbolism · imagery · allusion · trope · figurative · personification · metonymy · synecdoche · comparison
resemblance
Likeness between things
- affinityNatural liking or attraction
- correspondenceExchanged written communication
- akinRelated in nature
comparable · analogous · parallel · equivalent · congruent · homologous · matching · corresponding · approximate · cognate
likenscontrasts
Notable differences between things
differentiates · distinguishes · opposes · separates · discriminates
likensdisassociates
Separates oneself from
disconnects · isolates · decouples · severs · divorces
- look likeAppear similar to
- most likelyHaving highest probability
- I like youStatement of favorable regard
- would likePolite expression of wanting
- feel likeDesire informally expressed
- like thisIn this fashion
like, likely, alike, unlike, dislike, likeness, likelihood, likes, disliked