friend 1 of 2

noun

ˈfrend How to pronounce friend (audio)
Definition of friendnext
1
as in buddy
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in proponent
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

friend

2 of 2

verb

as in to befriend

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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 friend
Noun
That friend ended up going on to work in the industry, prompting Rich, a former Saturday Night Live and Pixar writer as well as a novelist and essayist, to pen this script. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026 Indeed, patient advocates interact closely with family members and friends who are involved in the patient’s care. — Jennifer Schlinger, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2026
Verb
The discourse started to boil when the Duchess of Sussex declared to friend Mindy Kaling that her last name is now Sussex in season 1 of Netflix’s With Love, Meghan, which premiered in March 2025. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 7 Apr. 2026 Sending his wife Luciana and all his family and friends our condolences. — Shafiq Najib, ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for friend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for friend
  1. buddy
  2. proponent
  3. befriend
  4. colleague
  5. supporter
  6. associate
  7. confidant
  8. advocate
Noun
  • After two turns as a mentor, is Pearce ready to join her buddy Green as a coach?
    — Melinda Newman, Billboard, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Swift returned at the end of the show to present her buddy with a birthday cake.
    — Lynette Rice, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of buddy
Noun
  • On the other side of the campaign, John Adams was labeled by Jefferson's proponents as a monarchist with aspirations to become king of the new United States.
    — Cal Thomas, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Curiously, few of these proponents ever mention the New York Mets and their spending.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of proponent
Verb
  • Moon, an adult cat who is estimated to be around six years old, befriended a neighbor who let him inside her home, according to Our Companions Animal Rescue.
    — Our Companions, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The Trasks encounter a wide swath of citizens, haggling with sneaky cheats, exploiting innocent fools, and befriending big-hearted neighbors.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of befriend
Noun
  • Alongside learning the requirements of a new role and meeting new colleagues, those moving internationally must also adapt to a new culture and potentially learn a new language.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • One of the first steps to finding the right financial advisor could be referrals from your colleagues, friends or family.
    — Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,Kelli Grant, CFP®, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of colleague
Noun
  • Other supporters argue that adding the ban to the Missouri Constitution would strengthen it.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Two vocal supporters of Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Xavier Becerra filed a formal campaign finance complaint against his rival, Steve Hilton, on Tuesday over the Republican campaign’s use of paid online promoters.
    — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of supporter
Verb
  • Investigators tracked down the suspect after finding the email address linked to his X account and IP addresses associated with a residence in Grand Blanc.
    — DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Once associated with the city’s armed conflict, La Sierra has built a new reputation through its specialty coffee, with 30 local producers who work directly with Rituales.
    — Nikkita Nair, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of associate
Noun
  • Sagittarius Lean on close confidants for perspective when things feel overwhelming.
    — Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Interviews with Stewart and his confidants will reappraise the moment, with direction and editing from Brian Rivera.
    — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of confidant
Noun
  • As the second Cunningham rally raged outside the Moda Center, once again pitting women's sports advocates against pro-trans counter-protesters, WNBA coaches faced consequential questioning inside.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • So would Hilton at least be an advocate for undocumented immigrants?
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of advocate

Browse Nearby Words

fried
friend
friended
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Cite this Entry

“Friend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/friend. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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