bedfellow

noun

bed·​fel·​low ˈbed-ˌfe-(ˌ)lō 

1

: one who shares a bed with another

2

: a person or thing closely associated with another : ally

political bedfellows

—often used in the phrase strange bedfellows to describe an unlikely alliance of people or things

Politics indeed makes strange bedfellows and on the issue of local regulation of pesticides, environmental and states' rights advocates have joined forces.

—Elena S. Rutrick

Polities and good architecture are strange bedfellows, but in Barcelona the marriage has worked.

—Cathleen McGuigan

Synonyms

• abettor
• abetter
• ally
• backer
• confederate
• fellow traveler
• supporter
• sympathizer

Examples of bedfellow in a Sentence

a child-welfare cause that has made bedfellows of activists who are normally on opposite ends of the political spectrum

Recent Examples on the Web

Everyone left standing is pretty much out for themselves and everyone has a price, which means shoddy intelligence, morally questionable decisions, and cold-blooded betrayal are all cozy bedfellows. —Josh Weiss, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025

The bottom line: This one is full of strange bedfellows. —Dan Primack, Axios, 17 Mar. 2025

Listen to this article In the pantheon of strange bedfellows amid the Miami Heat’s ongoing differences with Jimmy Butler, frequent critic Charles Barkley emerging as Heat supporter adds another layer to the unexpected. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2025

Shadowrun’s dark future fantasy and Munchkin’s giddy competition make surprisingly comfy bedfellows. —Rob Wieland, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bedfellow

• marshmallow
• morello
• othello
• schoolfellow
• cello
• fellow
• jello
• mellow
• melo
• velo
• portobello
• violoncello

Kids Definition

bedfellow

noun

bed·​fel·​low ˈbed-ˌfel-ō 

: one who shares a bed with another