BEFRIENDS Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

befriends

verb

present tense third-person singular of befriend

as in joins

to become a friend to (someone) He befriended the new student.

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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 befriends But by incorporating the recurring ghost of Richie, a thirteen-year-old inmate who befriends the children—Ward combines the Southern Gothic with a socio-realist tradition in a voice that is both visceral and intimate. — Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026 Meanwhile, Doran’s inclusion of Nell (Sherry-Lee Watson), a gifted horse trainer of Aboriginal origins who befriends Sybylla, offers an alternate vision of female passion and defiance. — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2026 An author befriends a movie star and attempts to write a version of her story. — Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 Set in 1964 and based on a true story, the film tells the tale of a young journalist who tracks down a potential Nazi officer living secretly in New York and befriends the suspect’s charming wife. — John Hopewell, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026 The Housewife, directed by Ben Shirinian and written by Alyssa Hill, is based on a true story and set in 1964, when a young journalist who tracks down a potential Nazi officer living secretly in New York and befriends the suspect’s charming wife. — Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2026 Upper-class Samantha befriends poor Nelly and changes her snobby grandmother’s opinion on Irish immigration. — Tara Strauch, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026 Bruce Willis stars as a child psychologist who befriends a young boy (Haley Joel Osment) with an unusual ability. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Aug. 2026 In the midst of it, Etna befriends a small, eager canine, Semeru, who knows Soojin and helps Etna reunite with her. — Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for befriends

joins

Verb

The former Banijay executive joins as VP, Content Sales, and will lead on sales in the UK, Ireland and Germany.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2026
But Supra’s work joins several projects pursuing scandium production and processing in North America, including USA Rare Earth and Texas Mineral Resources’ Round Top project in Texas and NioCorp Developments in Nebraska.

— Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026