1
as in warm
having or showing kindly feeling and sincere interest
all of the people in my new department seem friendly as a friendly gesture, we presented our new neighbors with a plate of homemade cookies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in close
closely acquainted
we're friendly with our neighbors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in positive
expressing approval
a friendly sign that our pet project would be approved
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
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
5
as in helpful
promoting or contributing to personal or social well-being
the state's attitude towards commercial development is widely regarded as friendly to the business community
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in friendlily
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in familiar
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of friendly
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
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
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
Adjective
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
Adverb
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
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
-
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
-
Hurricanes are born in the tropics, above warm water.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
The skills that prepare a child to read begin developing in utero, as a baby listens to the familiar voices around them and begins to develop connections between sounds and the meanings of words in their home language.—
Jenny Gold,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2025
-
Pritzker and Emanuel are nationally familiar names.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
More recent performances do not make for such positive reading (four defeats and two draws in six Nations League matches, against Italy, Denmark and Sweden, both draws impressively coming against the latter).—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
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
-
These and other helpful travel accessories are on sale ahead of Prime Day, including portable chargers, packing cubes, and more.—
Aly Walansky,
Travel + Leisure,
5 July 2025
-
Also, cell phone chargers for automobiles can be helpful after the storm.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 July 2025
Noun
-
One coped with blindness, another with deafness and still others with the loss of intimates.—
Marc Weingarten,
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2025
-
But make no mistake, the dozens, too, is a performance of the intimate.—
Hanif Abdurraqib
June 12,
Literary Hub,
12 June 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 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
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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,
Mercury News,
28 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Friendly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/friendly. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
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