liken

/ˈlī-kən/ (ame, mw)

liken — verb

  • likenpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • likens3rd person singular
  • likening-ing form
  • likenedpast simple

1. to describe one person or thing as being like another, usually to make the compa

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to describe one person or thing as being like another, usually to make the comparison vivid or easier to understand

例句

After the blackout, neighbours likened the dark stairwell to a cave.

liken + thing + to + image

The long queue was likened to a snake curling around the block.

passive: be likened to

同義詞
  • compare

    more general and much more common; it does not always suggest a vivid image

  • equate

    stronger; it can suggest treating two things as effectively the same

  • portray

    focuses on presenting someone or something in a certain way, not necessarily by direct comparison

反義詞
  • distinguish

    emphasizes noticing differences instead of pointing out similarity

  • differentiate

    more formal; used when separating things into distinct kinds

文法句型

liken + noun phrase + to + noun phrase

be likened to + noun phrase

用法筆記

Usually followed by to, with the first object naming what is being described and the second naming the comparison image. This verb is more formal and literary than compare, and the passive pattern be likened to is common in reviews and commentary.

常見錯誤

❌The reporter likened the mayor with a chess player.
✅The reporter likened the mayor to a chess player.
💡Liken normally takes to before the comparison image.
❌People likened him as a hero after the rescue.
✅People likened him to a hero after the rescue.
💡Use to, not as, after the object of liken.