friendly 1 of 3

adjective

ˈfren(d)-lē How to pronounce friendly (audio)
Definition of friendlynext
1
as in warm
having or showing kindly feeling and sincere interest all of the people in my new department seem friendly as a friendly gesture, we presented our new neighbors with a plate of homemade cookies

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in familiar
closely acquainted we're friendly with our neighbors

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in positive
expressing approval a friendly sign that our pet project would be approved

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
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
5
as in helpful
promoting or contributing to personal or social well-being the state's attitude towards commercial development is widely regarded as friendly to the business community

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

friendly

2 of 3

adverb

as in friendlily

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

friendly

3 of 3

noun

as in intimate

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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
They accidentally get sucked into a portal that transports them to a fantastical world with a friendly weredog (Dave Franco) and a demon (Lea Salonga) that feeds on memories. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026 Ted deflects the questions, but the friendly encounter only seems to make Alice dig in. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026
Adverb
Weighing only 2 pounds, the tabletop grill is small space and camping-friendly—made for balconies, camping, and patios. — Gabriela Izquierdo, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Mar. 2023 The couple, parents of two young children, felt something more family friendly fit their lives in 2022. — Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 7 Oct. 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
  1. warm
  2. familiar
  3. positive
  4. obliging
  5. helpful
  6. amicably
  7. intimate
  8. gracious
Adjective
  • This luxe accent chair invites fall into your home with its rich velvet upholstery and warm cinnamon shade.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The temperature on Monday reached 81 degrees Fahrenheit in the evening with an average humidity level of 72 percent — warm but not unbearable.
    — Aaron Short, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of warm
Adjective
  • The point is to make the brand’s Parisian identity travel throughout its 56 markets without turning it into a collection of familiar cues and clichés.
    — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026
  • In the campaign video, Kelce arrives at New York’s iconic The Plaza Hotel and greets a few familiar A-list faces before heading to his room to relax with an adorable, fluffy white dog.
    — Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of familiar
Adjective
  • Though Rosado tested positive for a small amount of meth and had been going up to 90 mph, the evidence indicated that Rosado had fallen asleep and that his car drifted off the freeway before hitting a guardrail, Cherney said.
    — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
  • His remarks later shifted toward perseverance and remaining positive through difficult circumstances.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of positive
Adjective
  • The movie trots along like an obliging corgi pup; TV director Gregor and DP Zac Nicholson give it a gilded mark of quality.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Adam seems confused by the request, while Ingeborg is perfectly obliging.
    — Josh Slater-Williams, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of obliging
Adjective
  • Squeeze bottles are also helpful for storing and dispensing homemade condiments (think spicy mayo) or syrups for coffee or cocktails.
    — Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Starter Davis Martin said the veterans who have been in past playoff pushes have been helpful.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of helpful
Adverb
  • Quaid and Buffington amicably reunited and posed for photos together at the ceremony.
    — Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026
  • His brother’s footage still showed the soldiers interacting amicably with settlers in Qusra rather than arresting them.
    — Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of amicably
Noun
  • Then she, once again, intimates that Shannon is a drunk, which makes Shannon storm off into the night.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Violence is tempered by stillness, terror slips into wonder and the intimate expands into the infinite.
    — Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of intimate
Adjective
  • The gracious master of ceremonies gave me the place of honor in the line-up, directly behind him, with Reiffer and the two shikaris bringing up the rear.
    — Leslie E. Tassell, Outdoor Life, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Walters asks, with a show of reluctance, questions about hillbillies, adolescent development, breast surgeries and her husband — though the singer’s answers are always gracious.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of gracious

Browse Nearby Words

friendliness
friendly
friends
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Friendly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/friendly. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of apiary

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All