befriend

verb be·friend \ bi-ˈfrend \

|Updated on: 9 Jul 2018

Examples: befriend in a Sentence

Definition of befriend

befriended; befriending; befriends

transitive verb

: to become or act as a friend to

befriended the new student

See befriend defined for English-language learners

See befriend defined for kids

Examples of befriend in a Sentence

He befriended the new student.

Recent Examples of befriend from the Web

The parties recognize the good of some giants and begin befriending them.

— danny atkinson, Courant Community, "Epoch Arts Opens Summer Season," 2 July 2018
Mr Trump does not have qualms about befriending strongmen.

— The Economist, "Insecurity complexGulf states fear being encircled by Iran and abandoned by America," 21 June 2018
Chris Kalis, who befriended Jugle at York Community High School in the late 90s and would later play in Chandeliers with him, remembers when Jugle first played him the 1995 Aphex Twin album . .

— leor galil, Chicago Reader, "Music / RIP RIP Chicago techno marvel and international cult figure Dan Jugle," 20 June 2018
Morgan is a memorabilia dealer and Marilyn Monroe expert who befriended Lee’s daughter and only child J.C. Lee, and since February has increasingly taken control of Lee’s life.

— Washington Post, "Police investigate elder abuse of Marvel Comics’ Stan Lee," 14 June 2018
Jankowski, who befriended the actress in her later years, told Fox News her estate approved the book and her sons are aware of it.

— stephanie nolasco, Fox News, "Patty Duke shares memories of Sharon Tate, Lucille Ball in her last book," 7 June 2018
During one such trip, Henson befriended the abolitionist Samuel Atkins Eliot, a former mayor of Boston and state legislator; Eliot would later serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.

— jared brock, Smithsonian, "The Story of Josiah Henson, the Real Inspiration for ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’," 16 May 2018
Teri, whom Jan had befriended several weeks earlier, had been at the Manders’ house learning to sew the night Michelle disappeared.

— jsonline.com, "CHAPTER 5: THE GIRL IN THE CAFÉ," 27 Sep. 2017
That was the year Ripken befriended a young outfielder named Brady Anderson, who would play alongside him for the 14 seasons and remains a close friend.

— peter schmuck, baltimoresun.com, "Schmuck: Cal Ripken Jr. knows what it's like to be on worst team in baseball and feels Orioles' pain," 6 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'befriend.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of befriend

1559

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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BEFRIEND Defined for English Language Learners

befriend

verb

Definition of befriend for English Language Learners

: to become a friend to (someone)

BEFRIEND Defined for Kids

befriend

verb be·friend \ bi-ˈfrend \

Definition of befriend for Students

befriended; befriending

: to act as a friend to We befriended the new student.

Learn More about befriend

See words that rhyme with befriend Spanish Central: Translation of befriend Nglish: Translation of befriend for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of befriend for Arabic speakers

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befriend

Definition of befriend

Examples of befriend in a Sentence

Recent Examples of befriend from the Web

First Known Use of befriend

BEFRIEND Defined for English Language Learners

befriend

Definition of befriend for English Language Learners

BEFRIEND Defined for Kids

befriend

Definition of befriend for Students

Learn More about befriend

Seen and Heard

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befriend

Definition of befriend

Examples of befriend in a Sentence

Recent Examples of befriend from the Web

First Known Use of befriend

BEFRIEND Defined for English Language Learners

befriend

Definition of befriend for English Language Learners

BEFRIEND Defined for Kids

befriend

Definition of befriend for Students

Learn More about befriend

Seen and Heard

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