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
as in friendlily
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in intimate
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
Sara Rosenthal, Denver Post, 27 May 2026
The tone should be friendly and casual.
—Lisa Pavia-Higel, The Conversation, 27 May 2026
Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 7 Oct. 2022
Wednesday had a friendly-looking cloud and a few raindrops, and Thursday had a dark, threatening cloud with heavier drops.
—F. Martin Ralph, Scientific American, 19 Aug. 2022
Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 16 Mar. 2026
As the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues, Mexico will host Uruguay on Sunday at Estadio Corona in an international friendly.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for friendly
Adjective
During the summer, the garden blooms with pollinator-friendly plants like nasturtiums, begonias and alyssum, creating a vibrant ecosystem that staff harvests daily.
—Sara Rosenthal, Denver Post, 27 May 2026
The tone should be friendly and casual.
—Lisa Pavia-Higel, The Conversation, 27 May 2026
Adverb
The couple, parents of two young children, felt something more family friendly fit their lives in 2022.
—Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 7 Oct. 2022
Wednesday had a friendly-looking cloud and a few raindrops, and Thursday had a dark, threatening cloud with heavier drops.
—F. Martin Ralph, Scientific American, 19 Aug. 2022
Noun
During a 1965 friendly between Brazil and Belgium, Ferreira took a photograph of Pelé performing a bicycle kick attempt.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 16 Mar. 2026
As the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues, Mexico will host Uruguay on Sunday at Estadio Corona in an international friendly.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for friendly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for friendly
Adjective
-
The service Service is warm and attentive without being overbearing, with free valet parking for guests as a posh perk.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 May 2026
-
El Niño is a natural climate phenomenon characterized by warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, which occurs every two to seven years, according to AccuWeather.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
27 May 2026
Adjective
-
Shange describes the Bacchanal as familiar and minimal.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 May 2026
-
Sources familiar with the situation, granted anonymity like all those consulted for this article to protect relationships, acknowledged there was consternation at the top at his behaviour and wondered whether Glasner’s position was becoming untenable.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
One more win on Saturday would turn those party celebrations into something even more special and would only enhance those positive vibes around the club.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
Her results came back as estrogen receptor-positive stage 2A breast cancer, meaning her cancer had estrogen receptors that would respond to hormone therapy drugs.—
Ayren Jackson-Cannady,
SELF,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Perhaps it could be argued that Freiburg were obliging opponents.—
Daniel Taylor,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
-
Rarely does another forward group make Colorado look slow, but Minnesota seemed to delight in obliging.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, relations with those who are closest to you are warm and helpful.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
30 May 2026
-
Severe Pruning Pruning tomato plants can be helpful in promoting air flow and fruit production, but removing too many leaves at one time can cause the plant to protect its remaining leaves by curling them in response.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
The three smaller top drawers are ideal for intimates, socks, and other small items, while the full-sized drawers hold bulkier pieces like denim and T-shirts.—
Shea Simmons,
PEOPLE,
17 May 2026
-
Juicy Couture started in 1997 as a casual lifestyle brand and spans women’s, girls, babies, handbags, shoes, intimates, swimwear and accessories and jewelry.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
There’s an art to being a gracious guest.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
22 May 2026
-
And your fans, goodness gracious.—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
Adjective
-
Beto was close to unplayable up front, while James Garner and Dewsbury-Hall buzzed around in midfield.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
-
Trump faces increasing pressure to secure a deal that ends the conflict and reopens the Strait of Hormuz after signaling that both sides were close to an agreement.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Friendly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/friendly. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
