1
as in buddies
a person who has a strong liking for and trust in another
really close friends who like to do everything together and are always sharing secrets
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in supporters
a person who actively supports or favors a cause
hopes that the new governor will be a friend to environmental causes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of friends
Julia Avant, CBS News, 14 June 2026
Lainey Wilson is soaking up the sun and enjoying the lake with her friends.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026
As a 7-year-old, I’d entertain my father’s friends, at their weekly pickup game at a Bronx barn-house gymnasium, by imitating his game face—bottom lip jutting, eyes scowling.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 14 June 2026
Hughey has now come to think of this foursome as a modern-day Dorothy Gale and her friends from Oz.
—Whitney Friedlander, Variety, 14 June 2026
The pop star watched alongside friends Alana Haim, Este Haim and Mariska Hargitay, with the group sporting matching novelty shirts.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 14 June 2026
Massachusetts-born, Robinson will be playing on home soil in front of friends, family and national team fanatics, an honor every player dreams of but only very few get.
—Jim Sciutto, CNN Money, 8 June 2026
The reason for that is very simple, dear friends.
—Chris Jones, The Atlantic, 7 June 2026
Discussions with partners and close friends will be lively and vigorous!
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 7 June 2026
Noun
Hearts of friends and family remain broken as questions remain as to why the shooting happened.
—Julia Avant, CBS News, 14 June 2026
Lainey Wilson is soaking up the sun and enjoying the lake with her friends.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026
As a 7-year-old, I’d entertain my father’s friends, at their weekly pickup game at a Bronx barn-house gymnasium, by imitating his game face—bottom lip jutting, eyes scowling.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 14 June 2026
Hughey has now come to think of this foursome as a modern-day Dorothy Gale and her friends from Oz.
—Whitney Friedlander, Variety, 14 June 2026
The pop star watched alongside friends Alana Haim, Este Haim and Mariska Hargitay, with the group sporting matching novelty shirts.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 14 June 2026
Massachusetts-born, Robinson will be playing on home soil in front of friends, family and national team fanatics, an honor every player dreams of but only very few get.
—Jim Sciutto, CNN Money, 8 June 2026
The reason for that is very simple, dear friends.
—Chris Jones, The Atlantic, 7 June 2026
Discussions with partners and close friends will be lively and vigorous!
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 7 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for friends
Noun
-
The first dogs served as early-warning systems, protectors, and hunting buddies.—
Shoshi Parks,
Popular Science,
10 June 2026
-
The two started off as bosom buddies, but Nathan didn’t take kindly to Joe’s womanizing ways.—
Brianna Zigler,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
Mexico supporters arrived at the stadium today in Mexico City draped in the national flag ahead of the opening World Cup match against South Africa.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
12 June 2026
-
The aftermath of San Antonio’s Game 3 victory spilled beyond the arena, as social media videos seemingly showed Knicks fans physically confronting Spurs supporters.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Crate training, when used appropriately, can provide a safe space if the dog associates it with positive things such as chew toys.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 July 2025
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Meanwhile, an entire generation of Gen Zers and millennials associates you with that ASPCA commercial.—
David Browne,
Rolling Stone,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
While acknowledging policy disagreements with colleagues on how best to address street homelessness, Raman argued the city should focus on directing resources toward strategies that have been proven to move people indoors.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
11 June 2026
-
Nguyen addressed her colleagues’ concerns directly on Tuesday.—
Claire Wang,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
The surest sign bitcoin will never be money can be found in what excited its proponents on the way up, along with its critics on the way down.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
-
Its proponents have turned it into a symbol of freedom and defiance.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
The musical is also narrated by Damian and Janis, the school outcasts who Cady befriends on her first day.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 June 2026
-
Renna, 47, starred as Ham Porter in the coming-of-age film, which centers on a boy named Scotty Smalls (Tom Guiry), who befriends a group of boys playing baseball at his new neighborhood's sandlot during the summer of 1962.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
The restaurateur is played by veteran character actor John Carroll Lynch, whose prior portrayals of terrifying creeps and lovable confidants make his character's intentions difficult to evaluate at first.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 Dec. 2025
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Regardless, Rubio has reportedly been telling confidants that Vance has the first right of refusal regarding a presidential campaign.—
Naomi Lim,
The Washington Examiner,
23 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The most effective advocates aren’t necessarily the ones who know the most medical information.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
15 June 2026
-
Street safety advocates want more regular reporting.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Friends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/friends. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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