1
as in close
closely acquainted
the little inside jokes that people who have long been familiar like to share
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in acquainted
having information especially as a result of study or experience
book editors who are familiar with what is being taught in the schools
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in ubiquitous
often observed or encountered
the woman and her pair of Welsh corgis were a familiar sight in the quiet neighborhood
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in arrogant
showing a lack of proper social reserve or modesty
rather too familiar for a first-time guest in our home, the woman kept asking how much we paid for this or for that
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in fan
someone who regularly spends time in a particular place
a longtime familiar of the bar, she would most likely have been there on the night in question
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in friend
a person who has a strong liking for and trust in another
with old familiars the normally reserved writer can be quite warm and funny
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of familiar
Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 19 Feb. 2026
That was until Knight, a familiar hero, stood up.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 17 May 2025
But before Guillermo leaves for good, Nandor offers him a seat in his coffin, which unexpectedly is revealed to be the secret entrance to the underground crime-fighting lair much to the former familiar's delight and surprise.
—Stacy Lambe, People.com, 17 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for familiar
Adjective
In an interview with NBC News last week, the family described days that blurred together as the children grew listless, with little to do and few familiar comforts.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 19 Feb. 2026
That was until Knight, a familiar hero, stood up.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
Noun
The Santal, in South Asia, believed that witches (always female) copulated with spirit familiars and devoured the organs of children.
—Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 17 May 2025
But before Guillermo leaves for good, Nandor offers him a seat in his coffin, which unexpectedly is revealed to be the secret entrance to the underground crime-fighting lair much to the former familiar's delight and surprise.
—Stacy Lambe, People.com, 17 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for familiar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for familiar
Adjective
-
Another category that would likely unnerve boards of directors, according to Minow, is close ties with Epstein following his controversial 2008 guilty plea to procuring a minor for prostitution.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
-
With Jackson’s death Tuesday, leaders across the region reflected on a legacy that helped shape a generation of local activism and public service — none more so than Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, a close friend for more than five decades.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The Great Square is also a good starting point to become acquainted with the colors of the stars.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
16 Nov. 2025
-
Over the last few offseasons, the Toronto Blue Jays became far too acquainted with finishing in second place.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The galaxies that are so familiar and ubiquitous in our Universe today will die, at least in a sense, as well.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Elevated interest rates in the economic terrain of recent years have been ubiquitous, with savers easily able to earn rates of 4%, 5% or even 6% and 7% on certificate of deposit (CD), high-yield savings and money market accounts.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
And ironically, the most arrogant ones are the worst ones.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
11 Feb. 2026
-
But there’s a throughline in Smith’s most popular works — he’s been cast repeatedly as a villain, and usually an arrogant or smug one.—
Sophia Solano,
Washington Post,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
If a healthy player sits, the millionaires are fine and the fans get screwed.—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Back in frigid Chicago, fans from both sides of town could take solace in the fact that baseball games will be played from now until at least the end of September, maybe longer.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
With Jackson’s death Tuesday, leaders across the region reflected on a legacy that helped shape a generation of local activism and public service — none more so than Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, a close friend for more than five decades.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
And while the two friends are both experts in the field, each has a very different journey to becoming an Olympian.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The spa The on-site spa is small and intimate, with just a few treatment beds, which makes booking in advance highly recommended.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
-
His role is to capture those intimate moments just seconds after a performance has finished, becoming the first camera operator in Olympic history to be allowed onto the ice.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
By monitoring market sentiment, technological progress, regulatory updates, and liquidity, investors can better manage unpredictable price movements and make informed decisions in the cryptocurrency market.—
Will Jones,
AZCentral.com,
20 Feb. 2026
-
From the outset, Phillips’ team analyzes a private database of thousands of verdicts and confidential settlements to pinpoint the value of each case and support informed decision-making.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Familiar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/familiar. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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