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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
Her willpower wobbling, the 37-year-old nurse and mother of three pushed her shopping cart forward, giving the friendly salesman a wide berth. Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025 Adopted in 2020, the Taxonomy for Sustainable Activities created a classification system for business and investors to know what activities are considered green or climate friendly. Jon McGowan, Forbes.com, 16 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
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 Cheeky corner goal, Ronaldo Show rumbles on The humble international friendly has the jeopardy of a tea party and a little while ago, UEFA put it out to grass. Phil Hay, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for friendly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for friendly
Adjective
  • While the white oak shelves and tin ceiling create a beautiful space, my staff and I have worked hard to cultivate a warm and inviting environment for everyone.
    American Booksellers Association, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • In warmer states, cicadas usually come out in late April or May.
    Taylor Johnston, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The crossings also have to be familiar words all the way across those entries.
    Deb Amlen, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
  • In addition to its brand new placements, OVO also returns to a familiar home: the Official Physical Albums chart.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The numbers paint a generally positive outlook that, according to these forecasters, should allow the nation to narrowly dodge a slump.
    Paul Davidson, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
  • His spirit is one of life and moving forward and trying to find a way to survive and to thrive and to grow and to be in this positive, progressive state.
    Abigail Lee, Variety, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The obliging royalty would lift their hems and give the crowd a glimpse of their sneakers and cowboy boots.
    Jill Robbins, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2025
  • It was perfectly weighted for an obliging Diaz, who gratefully tapped it in from just outside the six-yard box.
    Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • While many are helpful for blocking ads, finding the best deals or checking grammar errors, some can end up doing more harm than good.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2025
  • For this reason, vocal opposition from influential Republican voices on space policy comes at a helpful time.
    Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Bing Guan | Bloomberg | Getty Images Nike has teamed up with Kim Kardashian’s intimates brand Skims to launch a new line of activewear as the legacy sneaker giant looks to win over more women and better compete with Lululemon, Alo Yoga and Vuori, the companies announced Tuesday.
    Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 18 Feb. 2025
  • Employees and intimates wrote tell-all books, stole memorabilia and blackmailed her.
    Paul Liberatore, Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The draft will be held in Green Bay, and the NFL always brings in collegians who figure to be taken high, so Commissioner Roger Goodell can be the gracious host and hug them after they’re picked.
    Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Rose was gracious as ever after his second straight time finishing second in a major, having lost out at Royal Troon last summer.
    Doug Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Melania Trump wears black veil to Pope Francis' funeral as President Trump dons blue suit As the president's second term in office passes the 100-day mark, here is a closer look at the first lady's lookbook.
    Jay Stahl, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
  • His close alignment with Trump has damaged his tech company brands, and despite being one of the most proactive members of the president's team, his job approval rating has been ranked as even lower than Trump's.
    Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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