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Definition of friendlynext
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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
Tupay and other plus-size park content creators put those resources to the test, to see how plus-size friendly Epic Universe can be. Eve Chen, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026 The president won’t let anything—not even a very public dispute with America’s friendly neighbor to the north—get in the way. Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2026
Adverb
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
Noun
Argentina will also face Venezuela in another friendly this Friday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, allowing the team to stay local the following week. Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2025 Tuesday night, the teams will meet for the first of five annual friendlies designed to celebrate soccer culture in the region. Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for friendly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for friendly
Adjective
  • Tea is presented alongside the ritualistic high pour synonymous with Moroccan tradition, which is not only an enjoyable spectacle, but a gesture of warm welcome.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Feb. 2026
  • This week’s storms are especially welcome because the statewide snowpack has been lagging after weeks of unusually warm, dry weather.
    James Ward, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The galaxies that are so familiar and ubiquitous in our Universe today will die, at least in a sense, as well.
    Big Think, Big Think, 20 Feb. 2026
  • And in an increasingly fraught world, the need for a place that feels simple and familiar — one that offers the quiet assurance that everyone belongs — becomes not just understandable, but essential.
    Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • For Schwartz, positive support from other businesses all over the country and across the political spectrum has kept him going through the criticism.
    Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026
  • Based on positive response to this distribution strategy and assortment, the footprint has now grown to more than 1,000 locations, the company said.
    Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Plentiful staff are ever-present and always obliging, without being obsequious.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Feb. 2026
  • The response to the investigation was swift and largely obliging.
    Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Overall service was friendly, helpful, and polished.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026
  • Having mesh wire baskets on the table to help fish out ingredients from the broth that may be hard to handle with chopsticks, like a clam or a fish ball, can be helpful.
    Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Martha Stewart, 20 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Joanna Griffiths has experimented with executive coaches for years to help her work through challenges in leading $400 million intimates company Knix.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Called Layer Zero, the performance intimates brand will offer a collection priced $8 to $15 that will be sold primarily online but also at Costco.
    Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • From the gracious foyer to the expansive living room with horizonless views, every detail signals residential grandeur.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026
  • Of all the Welk stars, the harmonizing Lennon Sisters have always been among the most gracious and congenial.
    Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Another category that would likely unnerve boards of directors, according to Minow, is close ties with Epstein following his controversial 2008 guilty plea to procuring a minor for prostitution.
    Matt Egan, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
  • With Jackson’s death Tuesday, leaders across the region reflected on a legacy that helped shape a generation of local activism and public service — none more so than Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, a close friend for more than five decades.
    Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Friendly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/friendly. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.

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