friendliness 1 of 4

friendly

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adjective

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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 (2)

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
Noun
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 Midtown offices offers an excellent view — especially of the giant purple robot and friendly-looking hot dog that are waving from behind skyscrapers. Lyndsey Havens, Billboard, 28 July 2022
Adjective
And the less said about how this team looked against Turkey and Switzerland in two pre-Gold Cup friendlies, which extended its losing streak under Pochettino to four matches, the better. Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025 And Nichelle Prince will represent Canada in a series of friendlies. Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 21 June 2025
Adverb
Their friendliness with the crew seems to have paid off: Tests suggest the adult cat was mainly eating fish and meats like pork, poultry and beef. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 May 2025 Many of them are encouraged at friendliness to their cause in the Trump administration. Emily Brooks, The Hill, 1 May 2025
Noun
But if oil prices remain middling, even friendly policies might not compel companies to significantly ramp up drilling. Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025 A week filled with fun videos of puppies trying to master the stairs and a friendly doggy neighbor making his rounds brightened our social media timelines, but a few of our readers' pet videos and pictures stood out. Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for friendly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for friendly
Adjective
  • Here, guests and stylish locals alike graze on warm flatbreads, stacked club sandwiches, silky smoked salmon & cream cheese bagels, and sharing Seafood and Charcuterie boards—brimming with serrano ham, pillowy focaccia, smoked mackerel, and plump Atlantic prawns. Prefer a slower pace?
    Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • How To Clean Stovetop Grates With Vinegar Fill a pan or sink with equal parts warm water and vinegar.
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • Managers saw themselves as solving the equivalent of familiar jigsaw puzzles.
    Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
  • The whole first half of the season saw Hamilton struggle to adapt to the Italian race car, and Silverstone was another chapter in a familiar story.
    Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 July 2025
Adjective
  • Among Republicans, the gap is a 19% positive to a 43% negative.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 9 July 2025
  • The influx of capital is a net positive, fueling innovation and scaling operations.
    Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 9 July 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
  • Here’s where a large mirror display can be helpful in an open floor space: to set off a bar.
    Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 July 2025
  • Also, cell phone chargers for automobiles can be helpful after the storm.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 5 July 2025
Adjective
  • For some science, the discoveries will be limited by whatever the sky is gracious enough to give—a star must explode for the Rubin Observatory to spot a new supernova, for example.
    Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 1 July 2025
  • Miss Manners is certain that your heartfelt gratitude, in the form of a gracious and appreciative handwritten letter, will be thanks enough.
    Judith Martin, Mercury News, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • The figure surpasses that of the closest rival, China, which had 317 companies represented.
    Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 10 July 2025
  • But a closer read shows the linguistic dance that big companies are engaged in.
    Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • In 2019, 52% of Mainers had a favorable impression of Collins, according to Morning Consult polling.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 9 July 2025
  • This is driven by the ongoing market share gains from its FreeStyle Libre platform and the favorable effects of recent product launches, including Lingo, TriClip, and i-STAT.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Friendly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/friendly. Accessed 17 Jul. 2025.

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