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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
Their youth has put together an impressive run of international friendlies this summer, led by Miami’s Simone Fontecchio in wins over Latvia and Argentina. Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 22 Aug. 2025 The Villarreal friendly offered a glimpse of both the potential and the challenge. Sukhman Singh, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
Beer- and kid-friendly Opening this weekend on the Boise Bench, Chits & Chats essentially is part restaurant, part pub, part neighborhood public house — with a library of games for rent. Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 11 Sep. 2025 First, on Sunday September 14, there will be a free, family-friendly concert and festival at the corner of 2nd Ave and Beale St. Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 11 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for friendly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for friendly
Adjective
  • While this is only slightly warmer than what is normal for mid-September for the Gulf Coast, this is 10 to 15 degrees warmer than what is normal for this time of the year for much of the Mississippi Valley -- including for parts of Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, South Dakota and Minnesota.
    Kyle Reiman, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Great Britain’s winning performance from Friday’s four races, held in bright sunshine and warm gusty breeze, earned driver Dylan Fletcher and his team their second victory of the season.
    Andrew Rice, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • On the other side of the equation, the Chiefs’ receiving corps has looked eerily familiar.
    Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The inertia of familiar patterns keeps people locked into old routines.
    Thomas Lim, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • These offer a helpful guide to behaviors with positive effects.
    Tracy Brower, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Reviews in the market have been overwhelmingly positive.
    Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Mister is by nature a friendly doggie who is always sweet and obliging when strangers want to pet him.
    Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2025
  • 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
Adjective
  • These offer a helpful guide to behaviors with positive effects.
    Tracy Brower, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • This can be helpful for people who have back and knee pain.
    Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 14 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Tons of Spanx shapewear and intimates are on sale, including this wireless bra that offers full coverage, compression, and barely-there straps.
    Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Prior to joining Madewell, Lazarus was co-CEO of Cuup, a direct-to-consumer intimates brand, and a senior adviser at McKinsey & Company, counseling retail and apparel clients.
    David Moin, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Penalties on penalties on penalties, gracious hosts, UCLA’s 13 flags Friday gifted the Lobos 116 yards – running the season’s tally to 30 penalties for 275 yards.
    Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Goodness gracious, what an adorable little burrito that kid is!
    Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • He was acquired, along with closer Victor Vodnik, in a July 2023 trade with the Braves for reliever Pierce Johnson.
    Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 17 Sep. 2025
  • In the last fortnight alone, Starmer's Deputy Prime Minister and close ally Angela Rayner has resigned after a house tax scandal, triggering a major cabinet reshuffle.
    Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Friendly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/friendly. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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