1
as in buddy
a person who has a strong liking for and trust in another
really close friends who like to do everything together and are always sharing secrets
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in proponent
a person who actively supports or favors a cause
hopes that the new governor will be a friend to environmental causes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to befriend
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of friend
Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2026
Like his friend Hassan, Modhwadia is also brown and of Tanzanian heritage.
—Vivian Song, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026
Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
Might friend Taylor Swift be on hand to introduce one of her musical performances?
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for friend
Noun
Riley and Monserratt were friends preparing to graduate from the prestigious Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale at the time of their deaths.
—Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2026
Like his friend Hassan, Modhwadia is also brown and of Tanzanian heritage.
—Vivian Song, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
What’s the difference, for you, between doing that with Black women friends your own age, versus someone who’s old enough to be a mother?
—Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
Might friend Taylor Swift be on hand to introduce one of her musical performances?
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for friend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for friend
Noun
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Zachary Sanabria, 17, along with hundreds of participants and their buddies, took part in the 17th annual Walking for Friendship event.—
Najahe Sherman,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
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Hansard, guitar in hand, sat in the waiting room, waiting for his buddy to come out of the audition.—
Charles Moss,
SPIN,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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But proponents see the redistricting push in Virginia as a necessary reaction after Republicans launched similar actions in states like Texas, North Carolina and Missouri.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2026
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While the proponents of this plan promise lower rates and more local control, the reality is far more dangerous.—
Chris Cate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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His daughter Sadie Sandler stars as a college freshman who befriends a girl (Chloe East) who ends up being an awful roommate.—
Savannah Salazar,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2026
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In the 2008 storyline, Peanut (Jarryd Joseph) is part of the family, having been befriended by Cricket Foster (Roderick Randle) when both were in elementary school.—
Amy Reyes,
Miami Herald,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In a follow-up email to ARTnews, Lord and Teng, the gallery’s two managing partners, said that Marian Goodman Gallery was not immune to market forces, much like its colleagues.—
Maximilíano Durón,
ARTnews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
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Occasionally, his wife, friends, or colleagues lend a hand.—
Rachel Ventresca,
Fortune,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In the aftermath, Steyer and his rivals have been working to win over Swalwell’s supporters.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
22 Apr. 2026
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His supporters touted video of Stevens being booed at the convention, only to watch other Democrats openly resent the disruption — likening it to activists on the left who refused to vote for Democratic nominees in 2016 and 2024.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Know More As James’ longtime confidant and adviser, Carter has become one of the most notable figures in the business of professional basketball.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
20 Apr. 2026
-
So in comes longtime Messi mentor/confidant Guillermo Hoyos.—
Greg Cote
April 19,
Miami Herald,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Community leaders, business owners and advocates met in Denver over the weekend looking for solutions to rising costs, workforce shortages, and immigration challenges.—
Jasmine Arenas,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
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Vaqueiro, 38, has become the fresh face of Spanish-language news after Jorge Ramos, who achieved prominence as a forceful advocate for Latino immigrants during his 40 years on the air, signed off from rival Univision in late 2024.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The prospect of empty seats would alarm the television networks and sponsors who have paid top dollar to be associated with the tournament.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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Indeed, a recent Anthropic study found AI is already theoretically capable of performing a majority of the tasks associated with roles in engineering, law, business, finance, and management.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Friend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/friend. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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