Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

Thesaurus

friend

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of friend

1 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 of friend

alter ego, amigo, buddy, chum, compadre, comrade, confidant, confidante, crony, familiar, intimate, pal
Words Related to friend

acquaintance

associate, cohort, colleague, companion, fellow, hearty, hobnobber, partner, peer, sport

blood brother, brother, main man, sister

abettor (also abetter), accomplice, ally, collaborator, confederate

pen pal

benefactor, supporter, sympathizer, well-wisher

friendly
Near Antonyms of friend

adversary, antagonist, competitor, opponent, rival

archenemy, nemesis
Antonyms of friend

enemy, foe
2 a person who actively supports or favors a cause
  • hopes that the new governor will be a friend to environmental causes
Synonyms of friend

advocate, advocator, apostle, backer, booster, champion, espouser, exponent, expounder, herald, high priest, paladin, promoter, proponent, protagonist, supporter
Words Related to friend

loyalist, partisan (also partizan), stalwart

adherent, cohort, disciple, follower

interpreter

applauder, cheerleader, encourager, fellow traveler
Near Antonyms of friend

enemy, foe, rival

belittler, critic, faultfinder
Antonyms of friend

adversary, antagonist, opponent

Learn More about friend

  1. See words that rhyme with friend Dictionary: Definition of friend Spanish Central: Translation of friend Nglish: Translation of friend for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of friend for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up friend? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

bloviate

play

to speak or write verbosely and windily

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. lowlife 'a person of low moral character'

  2. kakistocracy 'government by the worst people'

  3. slimeball 'a morally repulsive or odious person'

  4. salacious 'arousing or appealing to sexual desire'

  5. oligarch 'government in which a small group exercises control'

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

image236659401
Words from Letters in the Greek Alphabet

When English borrows from another alphabet

alt-5ada140ed3e28
'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Why not both?

alt-5ad8fc71357ed
Words We're Watching: 'Bluebeard,' the Verb

No, it's not a coiffure trend

alt-5ad8d3361fb97
Where 'Cliff-hangers' Come From

You're on the edge of your seat

Ask the Editors

image1760257654
2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

How we chose 'feminism'

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066
Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

video-literally
Literally

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

video-his-or-her
Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

The awkward case of 'his or her'

Word Games

image1926873504
Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Test your knowledge of strange human behaviors.

Take the quiz
cats-on-impossible-timber
More Confusing Words—Quiz

How many of these commonly confused words do you know?

Take the quiz
Name That Thing
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

Take the quiz
Dictionary Devil
Dictionary Devil

The dictionary has been scrambled—can you put it back together?

Play the game