friend 1 of 2

noun

ˈfrend How to pronounce friend (audio)
Definition of friendnext
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

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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

friend

2 of 2

verb

as in to befriend

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 friend
Noun
When the first place beauty queen commits suicide, her best friend, in order to win the pageant, starts to wear the dead friend’s face. — John Hopewell, Variety, 14 July 2026 Alana noted that, even with her packed schedule, Swift always makes time for her family and friends. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 14 July 2026
Verb
The discourse started to boil when the Duchess of Sussex declared to friend Mindy Kaling that her last name is now Sussex in season 1 of Netflix’s With Love, Meghan, which premiered in March 2025. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 7 Apr. 2026 Sending his wife Luciana and all his family and friends our condolences. — Shafiq Najib, ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for friend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for friend
  1. buddy
  2. proponent
  3. befriend
  4. colleague
  5. supporter
  6. associate
  7. confidant
  8. advocate
Noun
  • Apple Original Films has dropped the first trailer for Mayday, the upcoming action-buddy-comedy starring Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh ahead of its September 4 bow on Apple TV.
    — Denise Petski, Deadline, 14 July 2026
  • Creator Tessa Coates centers her buddy comedy on two women who are both very, very alike and very, very different.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2026
Definition of buddy
Noun
  • Some proponents suggest that prediction markets could be an alternative to insurance, especially as insurers pull out of regions at high-risk for wildfire.
    — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
  • Bell won the All-Star Race last year and was a massive proponent of North Wilkesboro Speedway landing on the points schedule.
    — Alex Zietlow July 16, Charlotte Observer, 16 July 2026
Definition of proponent
Verb
  • Yes, many passengers on these upscale brief sailings enjoy a drink or two, but befriending a bartender isn’t the mission.
    — David Dickstein, Oc Register, 15 July 2026
  • The rapper personally befriended Hamilton and invited him to the family’s Easter celebration in 2015.
    — Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 13 July 2026
Definition of befriend
Noun
  • The need became more evident after the unexpected death of a City Hall colleague on February, a loss that deeply affected employees across the city, Salgado said.
    — Verónica Egui Brito July 15, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
  • The circuit made by Coles and colleagues didn’t actually run on ambient noise, which was too low-level to affect the dynamics.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 15 July 2026
Definition of colleague
Noun
  • To his supporters, Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was the steadfast, fearless leader who transcended mere politics and inspired devotion.
    — Xiaoqian Lin, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • Hundreds of supporters gathered to cheer her arrival after nearly a month and a half at sea.
    — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of supporter
Verb
  • Warsh also invested tens of millions in the Juggernaut Fund, which is associated with Druckenmiller’s firm.
    — Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • Tehrani’s patients include executives, entertainers and public-facing professionals looking to restore definition to the arms, abdomen, shoulders and chest without the extensive scars associated with traditional body-lift surgery.
    — Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026
Definition of associate
Noun
  • Complete strangers become confidants, newcomers are entrusted with the secret rituals of the forest (like shouting for the always elusive Carl), and trading trinkets and kandi is the reigning social currency.
    — Taryn Valentine, SPIN, 10 July 2026
  • Some of Franklin’s confidants in the coaching world suggested taking a year off.
    — Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 9 July 2026
Definition of confidant
Noun
  • While advocates for court reporters say humans can still do the job better than machines, the fact that many hearings occur without any official transcript at all has drawn concern from top state officials.
    — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Human rights advocates have also welcomed Jin’s release but cautioned that many members of Zion Church still remain behind bars.
    — Elmira Aliieva, NBC news, 5 July 2026
Definition of advocate

Browse Nearby Words

fried
friend
friended
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Cite this Entry

“Friend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/friend. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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