as in joined
to become a friend to (someone)
He befriended the new student.
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Recent Examples of befriended
According to her complaint, Cosby befriended her and invited her to the show.
—
Gene Maddaus, Variety, 23 Mar. 2026
One of their most memorable experiences happened when a Cadillac convertible stopped, and the driver who offered them a ride was the famous stripper, Candy Barr, who also befriended Jack Ruby.
—Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Mar. 2026
The trio also befriended Andy Warhol, who predicted Scharf’s fame.
—Pamela Chelin, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Working with those restaurants in the early days of owners Larry Foles’ and Guy Villavaso’s restaurant empire, Alexander befriended now-legendary chef Jack Gilmore.
—Matthew Odam, Austin American Statesman, 19 Mar. 2026
Three years ago, Waddle befriended 6-year-old cancer patient Rocco Passaro.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 19 Mar. 2026
The murderer and writer Jack Abbott was in prison when Mailer befriended him, and went on to kill again after Mailer lobbied for his release.
—James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
There, she was befriended by comics Buddy Hackett, Red Buttons, Jack Carter and Joey Adams.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 25 Feb. 2026
This pup who befriended a nursing home resident struggling with loneliness.
—Kelsey Monstrola, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
Gene Maddaus, Variety, 23 Mar. 2026
One of their most memorable experiences happened when a Cadillac convertible stopped, and the driver who offered them a ride was the famous stripper, Candy Barr, who also befriended Jack Ruby.
—Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Mar. 2026
The trio also befriended Andy Warhol, who predicted Scharf’s fame.
—Pamela Chelin, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Working with those restaurants in the early days of owners Larry Foles’ and Guy Villavaso’s restaurant empire, Alexander befriended now-legendary chef Jack Gilmore.
—Matthew Odam, Austin American Statesman, 19 Mar. 2026
Three years ago, Waddle befriended 6-year-old cancer patient Rocco Passaro.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 19 Mar. 2026
The murderer and writer Jack Abbott was in prison when Mailer befriended him, and went on to kill again after Mailer lobbied for his release.
—James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
There, she was befriended by comics Buddy Hackett, Red Buttons, Jack Carter and Joey Adams.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 25 Feb. 2026
This pup who befriended a nursing home resident struggling with loneliness.
—Kelsey Monstrola, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for befriended
Verb
-
Hezbollah joined the war in solidarity with the Palestinian group out of conviction that Israel would be constrained in its response by concerns of Hezbollah’s offensive capabilities.—
Asher Kaufman,
The Conversation,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Karoline Leonard joined the Austin American-Statesman in November 2024.—
Karoline Leonard,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
One of those bullets traveled into Minugh's home.—
Joan Murray,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Flanagan traveled to postwar Japan to help develop a child welfare program.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Befriended.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/befriended. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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