as in friends
a person who has a strong liking for and trust in another
college chums who go way back
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in associates
to come or be together as friends
they always chum around together
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 chums
David Faris, TheWeek, 16 Apr. 2026
Now, Byfield and chums are hitting their stride at the right moment.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026
The other thing is this is not just a group of Khan’s chums.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
The passing of his striking mother at age 35 from breast cancer, a woman who attracted many of his elementary school chums to vie for a spot in her carpool, devastated a young Felder at the dawn of his teen years.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2026
The shot was redirected home by Marchment, ingratiating him with his new chums.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 21 Dec. 2025
The two got on famously, and have been chums ever since.
—Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
In this entry, the third of the series, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) and his chums at a children’s finishing school for magicians called Hogwarts must work together to protect Harry from a killer named Sirius Black (Gary Oldman), who intends to kill the young wizard.
—David Faris, TheWeek, 16 Apr. 2026
Now, Byfield and chums are hitting their stride at the right moment.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026
The other thing is this is not just a group of Khan’s chums.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
The passing of his striking mother at age 35 from breast cancer, a woman who attracted many of his elementary school chums to vie for a spot in her carpool, devastated a young Felder at the dawn of his teen years.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2026
The shot was redirected home by Marchment, ingratiating him with his new chums.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 21 Dec. 2025
The two got on famously, and have been chums ever since.
—Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chums
Noun
-
Massachusetts-born, Robinson will be playing on home soil in front of friends, family and national team fanatics, an honor every player dreams of but only very few get.—
Jim Sciutto,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
-
But even these trails, like the ones Vernon carved out with friends near his home in Bella Vista, have had a positive effect.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
The third vessel, for example, contains circular discs symbolizing water, which Chan associates with rebirth.—
Anthony DeMarco,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
-
In practical terms, that means Forest now associates humans with food and safety, the opposite of what a wild deer needs to survive.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Read on to unpack those crucial final moments, including whether or not Coop and his best buddies got away with murder.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
-
After a short setup on Eternia, He-Man and his buddies escape the wrath of Skeletor by using the key to visit Earth.—
Jeffrey Ressner,
HollywoodReporter,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Now on sale for $60, the Levi’s Baggy Cinch Jeans are a slightly more casual wide-leg option that are still perfect for your summer travels with their breathable fit despite their non-stretch, 100 percent cotton construction.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
11 June 2026
-
Traditional chemotherapy travels throughout the body and affects both cancerous and healthy cells.—
William A. Haseltine,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
The narrator and his wife find that their attachment to the charismatic and cryptic Chibi grows with the cat’s increasing visits, in a way that bewilders them but somehow bonds them closer together.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
-
The Pennsylvania native made her TV acting debut on the HBO hit as Faye, the adrift addict who bonds with Fezco (the late Angus Cloud) and later Rue (Zendaya), after previously establishing herself in adult films, with creator Sam Levinson casting her directly.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Cabrera is a veteran of both the MPWW and the Minnesota carceral system, and joins Lost Kite as a multimedia editor.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
Kamla Pande joins as senior director of talent in the beauty, lifestyle and fashion division, and Toni Rose Goulden joins as director of talent in the entertainment division.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
And after several brain health retreats, Six Senses now runs a one-day Mind Your Brain program at several of its properties, from Fiji to the Seychelles, claiming to combat everything from brain fog to mental fatigue with activities like brain games, yoga, sound baths, and meditation.—
Melinda Fulmer,
Robb Report,
11 June 2026
-
Benjamin did say the operator runs a similar business elsewhere in Connecticut that successfully combines wellness with entertainment.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chums.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chums. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
