as in joined
to become a friend to (someone)
He befriended the new student.
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Recent Examples of befriended
During this same time, Duvall roomed with a fellow struggling actor who was a recent transplant from California, Dustin Hoffman, and also befriended Hoffman's California acting classmate, Gene Hackman.
—
Christopher Watson, ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026
The following day there was a break in the case when Ricky Chavis, a local handyman who had befriended Terry and often took care of his sons while Terry was at work, brought Derek and Alex to the sheriff’s station.
—Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
Just keep in mind, this is a place where Patti LaBelle befriended Indiana Jones.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Their friendship goes back over 20 years, when Kobo was a graduate student at New York University and befriended Hoffman at her sample sales.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 26 Jan. 2026
So, once again, is Spike (Alfie Williams), a plucky, soulful-eyed twelve-year-old, who was befriended by Ian in the previous film, and who was last seen being rescued from a pack of the infected by a strangely menacing benefactor, Jimmy (Jack O’Connell).
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 16 Jan. 2026
There was once a singer named Vince Taylor, whom Bowie had befriended in the mid-1960s.
—Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
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
Christopher Watson, ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026
The following day there was a break in the case when Ricky Chavis, a local handyman who had befriended Terry and often took care of his sons while Terry was at work, brought Derek and Alex to the sheriff’s station.
—Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
Just keep in mind, this is a place where Patti LaBelle befriended Indiana Jones.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Their friendship goes back over 20 years, when Kobo was a graduate student at New York University and befriended Hoffman at her sample sales.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 26 Jan. 2026
So, once again, is Spike (Alfie Williams), a plucky, soulful-eyed twelve-year-old, who was befriended by Ian in the previous film, and who was last seen being rescued from a pack of the infected by a strangely menacing benefactor, Jimmy (Jack O’Connell).
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 16 Jan. 2026
There was once a singer named Vince Taylor, whom Bowie had befriended in the mid-1960s.
—Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for befriended
Verb
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Foster joined last summer’s Down Under tour as an ambassador, a role the former England international also fulfils with the Wrexham Foundation, and also hosts the hugely entertaining That Wrexham Podcast in conjunction with the club.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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The hotel recently joined Wyndham Hotels and Resorts as part of the Trademark Collection, expanding its global reach while maintaining its independent spirit.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The family of four often traveled domestically to new places together, drove short distances to visit family and frequented amusement parks – but all of that has come to a pause in the height of uncertainty surrounding immigration operations throughout the state.—
Alisha Ebrahimji,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
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Zwierzyński traveled from Poland to attend the celebration.—
Shafiq Najib,
ABC News,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Befriended.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/befriended. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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