Like taking part in merrymaking (4)
I believe the answer is:
akin
'like' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
'part in merrymaking' is the wordplay.
'part in' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'AKIN' is hidden within 'merrymaking'.
'taking' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for akin that I've seen before include "Of like nature or related" , "not totally similar" , "Related or similiar" , "Related or similar - as a relative?" , "Similar, like" .)