as in joins
to become a friend to (someone)
He befriended the new student.
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Recent Examples of befriends
In a town plagued with sudden deaths and missing persons, a troubled eight-year-old girl befriends a boy that lives in the shadows, and her new stepmom learns why things that live in the dark don’t want to be seen.
—
Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 6 Jan. 2026
Gatto, to be directed by Luca filmmaker Enrico Casarosa, follows Nero, a water-hating black cat living in the picturesque city of Venice, Italy, who befriends Maya, a lonely street musician.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 22 Dec. 2025
The Iron Giant Set in a small American town during the Cold War, The Iron Giant follows Hogarth, a curious young boy who discovers and befriends a massive robot that’s fallen from the sky.
—Lauryn Higgins, Parents, 22 Dec. 2025
Youssef Hafyane smiles and befriends new people as well as enjoying old friends.
—Kelly Wilkinson, IndyStar, 5 Dec. 2025
Set in 2007 Gaza, the drama follows Yahya, a young student who befriends Osama, a charismatic falafel shop owner.
—Essie Assibu, Variety, 22 Nov. 2025
Then befriends a pigeon that may or may not be the one that’s always cooing outside the bathroom window.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 19 Nov. 2025
The couple befriends the Halbergs, a Norwegian-Swedish couple, and their respective children become close friends.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 13 Nov. 2025
Monroe takes a supporting role in Greta, Neil Jordan’s psychological horror film about a young woman (Chloë Grace Moretz) who befriends a mysterious older woman (Isabelle Huppert in the title role) and soon finds she’s accidentally bonded with a monster.
—Matthew Jackson, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2025
Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 6 Jan. 2026
Gatto, to be directed by Luca filmmaker Enrico Casarosa, follows Nero, a water-hating black cat living in the picturesque city of Venice, Italy, who befriends Maya, a lonely street musician.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 22 Dec. 2025
The Iron Giant Set in a small American town during the Cold War, The Iron Giant follows Hogarth, a curious young boy who discovers and befriends a massive robot that’s fallen from the sky.
—Lauryn Higgins, Parents, 22 Dec. 2025
Youssef Hafyane smiles and befriends new people as well as enjoying old friends.
—Kelly Wilkinson, IndyStar, 5 Dec. 2025
Set in 2007 Gaza, the drama follows Yahya, a young student who befriends Osama, a charismatic falafel shop owner.
—Essie Assibu, Variety, 22 Nov. 2025
Then befriends a pigeon that may or may not be the one that’s always cooing outside the bathroom window.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 19 Nov. 2025
The couple befriends the Halbergs, a Norwegian-Swedish couple, and their respective children become close friends.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 13 Nov. 2025
Monroe takes a supporting role in Greta, Neil Jordan’s psychological horror film about a young woman (Chloë Grace Moretz) who befriends a mysterious older woman (Isabelle Huppert in the title role) and soon finds she’s accidentally bonded with a monster.
—Matthew Jackson, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for befriends
joins
Verb
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Working with DaCosta — who joins Todd Field and Christian Petzold in the roster of visionary directors Hoss has collaborated with — was another transformative experience.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
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In the grander scheme, Big Pete joins his family across North Carolina to protect the grandmother tree.—
Khadejeh Nikouyeh,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Befriends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/befriends. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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