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as in obliging
willing to do a favor a kid-friendly restaurant with high chairs and a special menu for small-fry appetites

Synonyms & Similar Words

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friendly

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adverb

friendly

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective friendly contrast with its synonyms?

The words amicable and neighborly are common synonyms of friendly. While all three words mean "exhibiting goodwill and an absence of antagonism," friendly stresses cordiality and often warmth or intimacy of personal relations.

sought friendly advice

When can amicable be used instead of friendly?

Although the words amicable and friendly have much in common, amicable implies a state of peace and a desire on the part of the parties not to quarrel.

maintained amicable relations

In what contexts can neighborly take the place of friendly?

The words neighborly and friendly are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, neighborly implies a disposition to live on good terms with others and to be helpful on principle.

neighborly concern

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 friendly
Adjective
The couple, parents of two young children, felt something more family friendly fit their lives in 2022. Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 7 Oct. 2022 Wednesday had a friendly-looking cloud and a few raindrops, and Thursday had a dark, threatening cloud with heavier drops. F. Martin Ralph, Scientific American, 19 Aug. 2022
Adverb
Messi also played this summer for his native Argentina in pair of friendlies. Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 25 July 2025 The match will be the second of a pair of October friendlies, the first being in Austin against Ecuador on Oct. 10. Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 14 July 2025
Noun
Time-traveling romances, space-traveling alien monsters, and celebrities in seriously great shape who want to pass along their wisdom to us normal folk — all this and more await us in this weekend’s friendly neighborhood streaming guide. Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025 The show serves as a friendly frame for the songs without threatening to get in the way of them. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 15 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for friendly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for friendly
Adjective
  • The suite’s interiors reflect the nature on the doorstep, with a soothing color palette of earthy browns, soft taupes and warm greens.
    Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Legionnaires is a bacterial pneumonia, caused by the bacteria legionella, which grows in warm water.
    David Matthews, New York Daily News, 22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Grounded in a strong sense of place, powerful performances speak volumes without excess dialogue in an atmosphere both familiar and uncanny.
    Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 23 Aug. 2025
  • Instead, the text-only logo uses a new typeface against the familiar gold background.
    Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • This long-standing promotion, dating back to the 1940s, generates significant positive publicity for George Webb.
    Ricardo Torres, jsonline.com, 14 Aug. 2025
  • For an even more affordable option, this one from Amazon is under $50 and backed by positive customer reviews.
    Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • To date, more than 11,000 TikTok users have commented on the post, with many voicing their comedic takes on the viral moment and the cat's obliging demeanor.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
  • Related Articles Until now exhibitions culminated in Saint Laurent’s studio on the upper floor of the museum, obliging visitors to backtrack toward the exit.
    Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • So, if the forecasts are not helpful, what does the data say about the Fed’s current policy stance?
    Garth Friesen, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
  • These are particularly helpful when replacing lights or batteries on your vehicle or putting together complex furniture.
    Christopher Murray may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Doncic arrived at Dyckman at 8:11 p.m., making his grand entrance just after the first game ended, and didn’t leave until 90 minutes later — an eternity for a superstar in a setting this intimate.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 30 July 2025
  • In intimates, the fibers are sought after by renowned brands like Triumph for their even surface and gentle hand feel.
    SJ Studio, Sourcing Journal, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • In her first interview as a filmmaker, Renée Zellweger is as gracious as ever.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 17 Aug. 2025
  • And Phil and Chris were incredibly gracious throughout that process.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2025
  • Some health statistics for Davidson County appear strong, but a closer look reveals key health disparities, Areola said.
    Beth Warren, The Tennessean, 28 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Friendly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/friendly. Accessed 2 Sep. 2025.

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