as in friends
a person who has a strong liking for and trust in another
I always choose my best pal for my softball team first
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Recent Examples of pals
Burd, one of Blanco's closest pals, officiated the ceremony.
—
Hannah Malach, InStyle, 4 Mar. 2026
There are a few glimmers of Moriarty’s future sensibility, although for the most part Sherlock and Moriarty remain steadfast pals.
—Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
Head down to Brookhaven with your closest pals and celebrate among the bottles of over 450 different wine varieties from around the world.
—Lesly Gregory, AJC.com, 2 Mar. 2026
This was two old pals knowing exactly how to approach each other, like Christmas With the Martins and the Sinatras for Tina Fey fans — if only because Tracy Jordan being Cher’s secret baby daddy feels like a season-five 30 Rock joke.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026
Her passing prompted a wave of love from fans and former costars alike, including several of her Buffy pals.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Feb. 2026
Spending time reading with, singing with, or playing games with close pals and family is at the heart of Danish happiness and hygge-ness.
—Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
Plan a visit or adventure with pals.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 21 Feb. 2026
Went to karaoke bars with her pals.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026
Hannah Malach, InStyle, 4 Mar. 2026
There are a few glimmers of Moriarty’s future sensibility, although for the most part Sherlock and Moriarty remain steadfast pals.
—Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
Head down to Brookhaven with your closest pals and celebrate among the bottles of over 450 different wine varieties from around the world.
—Lesly Gregory, AJC.com, 2 Mar. 2026
This was two old pals knowing exactly how to approach each other, like Christmas With the Martins and the Sinatras for Tina Fey fans — if only because Tracy Jordan being Cher’s secret baby daddy feels like a season-five 30 Rock joke.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026
Her passing prompted a wave of love from fans and former costars alike, including several of her Buffy pals.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Feb. 2026
Spending time reading with, singing with, or playing games with close pals and family is at the heart of Danish happiness and hygge-ness.
—Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
Plan a visit or adventure with pals.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 21 Feb. 2026
Went to karaoke bars with her pals.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pals
Noun
-
His father bought him the plane ticket after Jeffrey found himself in a bit of a boredom rut with friends and getting into the wrong kind of trouble.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Messi’s presence drew Julio Gonzalez of Lansdowne and two friends to the game.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This little balcony was always a place where his family members could get away from it all — Jackie liked to go up there to sunbathe, and John sometimes went up there with buddies to smoke weed.—
Kate Storey,
Rolling Stone,
5 Mar. 2026
-
That puts a wrench in the works, as well as ties us even more tightly together, as two ex-SEAL Team buddies.—
William Earl,
Variety,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pals. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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