as in joined
to become a friend to (someone)
He befriended the new student.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of befriended
Rob Reiner and Michele Reiner befriended Nanon Williams after seeing Lyrics From Lockdown, a play inspired by his life, in 2016.
—
Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Jan. 2026
Freed hostages Keith and Aviva Siegel befriended two Israeli soldiers in captivity, creating a support system that helped all of them endure the terrifying experience.
—CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025
In the final decade of his life, Goethe was befriended by Johann Peter Eckermann, a young literary critic, who visited Weimar regularly and transcribed his conversations with the older man.
—Merve Emre, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
In the finale, Poker Face drops the bomb that Harrison was also playing the world’s preeminent assassin, the Iguana, who befriended Charlie in order to find the mob snitch the Iguana was hired to kill.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
However, Leutner said their relationship changed after Geyser befriended Weier in sixth grade in 2014.
—Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 24 Nov. 2025
In one of the strangest political stories in years, the Grammy-winning rapper befriended Malaysian financier Jho Low in 2006.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 21 Nov. 2025
The episode features director John Waters as a gay antiques dealer befriended by Marge.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 15 Nov. 2025
According to a Chula Vista police spokesperson, investigators believe Cleveland had befriended the victims at some point.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Jan. 2026
Freed hostages Keith and Aviva Siegel befriended two Israeli soldiers in captivity, creating a support system that helped all of them endure the terrifying experience.
—CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025
In the final decade of his life, Goethe was befriended by Johann Peter Eckermann, a young literary critic, who visited Weimar regularly and transcribed his conversations with the older man.
—Merve Emre, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
In the finale, Poker Face drops the bomb that Harrison was also playing the world’s preeminent assassin, the Iguana, who befriended Charlie in order to find the mob snitch the Iguana was hired to kill.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
However, Leutner said their relationship changed after Geyser befriended Weier in sixth grade in 2014.
—Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 24 Nov. 2025
In one of the strangest political stories in years, the Grammy-winning rapper befriended Malaysian financier Jho Low in 2006.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 21 Nov. 2025
The episode features director John Waters as a gay antiques dealer befriended by Marge.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 15 Nov. 2025
According to a Chula Vista police spokesperson, investigators believe Cleveland had befriended the victims at some point.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for befriended
Verb
-
Leaders of some of those countries, including Argentina’s President Javier Milei, Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, joined Trump on stage Thursday morning at Davos to sign the board’s charter.—
Siladitya Ray,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Westover first joined the Patriots’ practice squad as a tight end one month into the 2024 season.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
According to his website, he's been active for nearly 50 years and has traveled with his wife and their six children to 60 countries to spread his message.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
-
The missile traveled at a speed of more than 8,000 miles per hour, according to the Western Command of Ukraine's Air Force.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Befriended.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/befriended. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
