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
After the conclusion of the Gold Cup, there will be five remaining international windows for friendlies. Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 18 June 2025 This summer, the USMNT has CONCACAF Gold Cup matches followed by friendlies in September, October and November. Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 11 June 2025
Adverb
This isn’t the kind of spa where employees avoid your eyeline or won’t greet you in the hallways for fear of interrupting your inner peace, and this genuine friendliness comes as a welcome surprise in the often-intimidating heart of Hollywood. Emma Specter, Vogue, 3 June 2025 Patient Satisfaction Scores Patient satisfaction scores (also known as CSATs, or customer satisfaction scores) provide direct feedback on specific aspects of the care received, such as staff friendliness, wait times and communication. Ajay Prasad, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025
Noun
The production design might have set him within a post-apocalyptic landscape, but this was going to be a friendly, feel-good dystopia after all. Chris Willman, Variety, 27 June 2025 Yes, at the end our decision was not to bring him to the friendly games. Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 15 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for friendly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for friendly
Adjective
  • Concrete and asphalt radiate heat absorbed during the day, making urban areas typically several degrees warmer than rural areas, the weather service said.
    Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2025
  • In Alaska, warm and dry conditions coupled with frequent thunderstorms and lightning have resulted in more than 100 fires since Wednesday.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 22 June 2025
Adjective
  • This incremental model allows firms to evolve while maintaining familiar strategies.
    Seth Price, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
  • Pritzker and Emanuel are nationally familiar names.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • But even while reviews for F1 have been overwhelmingly positive and the two-and-a-half-hour race thriller is predicted to top all other wide-release movies this weekend, pulling in somewhere between $45 million and $55 million domestically, profitability remains something of a long shot.
    Chris Lee, Vulture, 27 June 2025
  • While they were hired to support language learning, the specialists emerged as catalysts for converting negative emotions into positive behavioral change.
    IESE Business School, Forbes.com, 27 June 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
  • Anxiety can hinder so much of everyday life, but there are many helpful and safe ways to cope.
    Audrey Noble, Vogue, 23 June 2025
  • Research shows that legumes also provide various helpful compounds, such as peptides, polyphenols, and saponins.10 These compounds are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
    Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 22 June 2025
Adjective
  • To their credit, the Heat have been gracious in their credit to the Panthers.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 20 June 2025
  • The food was unfussy and full-flavored, the service gracious, and the staff — from the spa therapists to the bakers — seemed genuinely happy to be here.
    Rooksana Hossenally, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Adjective
  • The championship is Oklahoma City’s first since relocating from Seattle in 2008; for the Pacers, close wasn’t good enough for their second straight season with a strong playoff run before falling to the eventual NBA champs.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 28 June 2025
  • Some of my friends sent them a gift, knowing why they were not invited but three of my close friends didn’t send anything (even a card would have been thoughtful).
    R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • The odds backcourt mate Will Richard would hear his name called were not nearly as favorable.
    Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2025
  • Some analysts downplayed the incidents as routine hiccups typical of a company testing a new product, while others viewed the miscues as a troubling sign for the capability of the technology, especially in light of favorable conditions sought out by Tesla.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 26 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Friendly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/friendly. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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