Identify with an elk in trouble (5)
I believe the answer is:
liken
'identify' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to thinking as well as being verbs in their base form.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'with an elk in trouble' is the wordplay.
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'trouble' indicates an anagram.
'elk'+'in' is 'elkin'.
'elkin' with letters rearranged gives 'LIKEN'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for liken that I've seen before include "Represent as similar" , "Equate" , "Compare" , "Point out the resemblance (to)" .)