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 friendliness
Noun
Still, Stein's friendliness toward Republicans so far is somewhat unprecedented. Lucille Sherman, Axios, 25 Mar. 2025 The new core books aim to take advantage of a fresh audience with an eye to better organization and user friendliness aimed at new players and Dungeon Masters. Rob Wieland, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
Outside, life bustles with the familiar sounds of rickshaws and friendly neighborhood chatter. Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025 Trump remarked on the friendly reception he's gotten from many in the billionaire class, including Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, during his second term. Joey Garrison, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
Adverb
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
Noun
Nearly eight months after the U.S. defeated Brazil in the Summer Olympics gold-medal game in Paris, the teams will go head-to-head with the two upcoming friendlies in California on April 5 and April 8. Jessica Golden, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2025 Brazil stuttered in subsequent friendlies, were deeply unimpressive at the Copa America and have only shown fleeting signs of improvement since. Jack Lang, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for friendliness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for friendliness
Adjective
  • And waters in the eastern subtropical Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean are warmer than normal for this time of year.
    Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 May 2025
  • Sweet, fresh, nostalgic, warm, and sensitive-skin-friendly without feeling overly in your face, this, to me, is the quintessential summer scent.
    Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 28 May 2025
Adjective
  • The latter star has landed a number of hits throughout the past few years by repurposing melodies and interpolating hooks from older, familiar smashes by other artists, reworking them into something exciting and new for a different audience.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • Where Charlotte’s immigrant community goes for familiar flavors.
    Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • Some areas of the lake have tested positive for E. coli after heavy rains.
    Melissa Oyler, Charlotte Observer, 22 May 2025
  • Yet things aren’t so positive for Fields, as Zack Rosenblatt explains.
    Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • To be sure, China may never become the kind of country many Western optimists imagined in the early post–Cold War decades: a gradually more liberal and obliging member of the U.S.-led international order.
    RANA MITTER, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This feature can be extremely helpful in extending insights use cases and getting stakeholders to embrace research as part of their business.
    Erin Tavgac, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
  • The following are generally considered some of the least helpful foods for Crohn's disease.
    Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Health, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • Its three-stateroom design lets owners and guests can enjoy weekend cruising, while the exterior promotes gracious outdoor living in the large beach-club area, or up on the sport bridge.
    Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 28 May 2025
  • Ohio State fans were actually gracious in honoring him before the game.
    David Ubben, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • Among the close friends and family celebrating were Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban.
    Rachel Flynn, People.com, 24 May 2025
  • After the close, discount retailer Miniso Group (9896 HK, MSO US) missed Q1 estimates while online travel agency Tongcheng (780 HK) beat analyst expectations for Q1.
    Brendan Ahern, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Adjective
  • The pressure to deliver favorable outcomes for clients can lead to chronic stress and anxiety.
    Raquel Gomes, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • And to make matters even more favorable for Indiana, the Knicks looked a little worn out.
    Shakeia Taylor, New York Times, 22 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Friendliness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/friendliness. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

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