What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
liken
Example
She likened his behavior to that of a spoiled child. [liken: verb]
Example
The author used a metaphor to liken the city to a living organism. [liken: verb]
equate
Example
You can't equate money with happiness. [equate: verb]
Example
Some people equate success with wealth. [equate: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Equate is more commonly used than liken in everyday language. Equate is a versatile word that can be used in many contexts, while liken is less common and is often used in creative writing or literature.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between liken and equate?
Equate is generally considered more formal than liken, as it is often used in technical or academic writing where precision and accuracy are important.
