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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
So did his friendly rival, John Adams, who wrote of his dream ‘…to see rising in America an empire of liberty, and a prospect of two or three hundred millions of freemen, without one noble or one king among them. Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 1 July 2026 This travel-friendly sound system is mounted in a crushproof, waterproof, lockable pelican case. Kris Millgate, USA Today, 1 July 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
The team's Achilles Heel is the defense, which has turned the ball over during inopportune times in friendlies and World Cup warm-up matches. Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 8 June 2026 The Charlotte match is one of four send-off friendlies the USMNT will play across the country and will be the team’s first competition after releasing its official World Cup roster. Charlotte Observer, 28 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for friendly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for friendly
Adjective
  • Goodson explains that pomegranates thrive in warm climates and are widely enjoyed around the world.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • Mallorca In fall, the crowds in Mallorca dissipate, the sea stays warm, and the impossible restaurant reservation opens up.
    Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Adjective
  • Unlike scenic destinations that become part of a wedding backdrop, Walshe said Madison Square Garden presents the opposite challenge because designers would first have to erase the venue's familiar arena feel before creating something entirely new.
    Lauryn Overhultz , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
  • From there, Florida's history followed the path more familiar to Americans, eventually becoming the 27th state in 1845.
    Hank Tester, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • The bat was captured and later tested positive for rabies, allowing doctors to begin the girl's post-exposure vaccination series quickly.
    Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • The report comes with Federal Reserve policymakers expressing mixed feelings about the economy – mostly positive on growth though apprehensive on inflation as earlier fears about weakness in the labor market have eased.
    Jeff Cox, CNBC, 2 July 2026
Adjective
  • On a fickle morning in Miami—the kind where patches of sunshine give way to intervals of torrential rain—Learner Tien has taken shelter deep inside Hard Rock Stadium, the obliging home of the Dolphins, a Formula 1 Grand Prix, and, at the moment, the Miami Open.
    Jake Nevins, Vogue, 25 June 2026
  • Only a young woman in a scarlet petticoat proves more obliging.
    John Swansburg, The Atlantic, 15 June 2026
Adjective
  • The suggestion that the president is in-the-know about what the chairman would like to do with rates is unlikely to be helpful.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 3 July 2026
  • The piece from Ginexi linked above contains helpful advice and some short examples about halfway down the page.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 2 July 2026
Adverb
  • She and Affleck co-parent amicably.
    Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 22 June 2026
  • Eventually, young Jonah went to stay with his mother for a time on the south side of Stockton after Marcella and Jamon separated amicably.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 21 June 2026
Noun
  • The viral swimsuit is available in 20 different colors, ranging from sizes XS to XL, and that's not the only swim offering this intimates brand offers.
    Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 24 June 2026
  • Fruit of the Loom already has a reputation for creating comfortable intimates and this bra falls right in line, while also remaining basically invisible under clothing.
    Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 10 June 2026
Adjective
  • Thanks to a gracious group of Team Algeria soccer supporters, the city of Lawrence will forever have a reminder of its role in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
    Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026
  • The axe came down swiftly and brutally, but, speaking candidly, Geoff Daniels, PBS’ Vice President, Programming & Development, was gracious about it, thanking the audience of mostly media industry people for their camaraderie.
    Damon Wise, Deadline, 25 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Friendly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/friendly. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

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