Blocking epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been the hotspot in the field of cancer therapy. Based on the fact that salicylanilides possess well inhibitory activity against EGFR tyrosine kinase, a series of salicylamide analogs bearing 4’-substitution were designed to explore new candidates exhibiting improved efficacy against EGFR. Many of the synthesized compounds inhibited EGFR in the micromolar