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Definition of friendlynext
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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

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friendly

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adverb

friendly

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noun

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

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

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
Overall the staff is friendly and helpful in accommodating specific needs. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026 Are people in Paris friendly to Americans? Eve Chen, USA Today, 2 Apr. 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
The Loons were scheduled to play an international friendly against Werder Bremen later this season, but the top-tier German club pulled out of the exhibition last week, in part, due to safety concerns in traveling to Minnesota. Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 27 Feb. 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 Inn stays shut during winter and ‘pack ice’ season, which some locals will tell you is the most beautiful time of all—for snowmobiling and snowshoeing through the Island’s interior by day, and come evening, getting invited into someone's warm shed for a tipple and a chat.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026
  • In 2001, the couple, who did not have children, retired to Miami in search of warmer beaches.
    Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Steeped in international cinema, Haghighi has since taken familiar tropes, forms, and genres and bent them in new directions.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
  • So California may be readying to wage a two-front battle — the familiar one against smog, but a second, altogether new one, against an administration determined to let California get smoggy again.
    Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The Heat starting unit’s only positive minutes on Friday came to begin the third quarter when the Cavaliers were already ahead by more than 30 points.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Coleman ran track, played basketball and football, and was known for his humor and positive outlook.
    Adi Guajardo, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • In civil aerospace, for example, Rolls is benefiting as manufacturers Airbus and Boeing struggle to deliver new aircraft at the pace the market requires — obliging airlines to keep flying old planes (and their engines) for longer.
    Ian King, CNBC, 25 Feb. 2026
  • Plentiful staff are ever-present and always obliging, without being obsequious.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Xbox's most helpful features, such as Quick Resume, will work as expected when games are launched from the card.
    George Yang, PC Magazine, 28 Mar. 2026
  • The program with the Riverside University Health Systems partners a detective with a licensed social worker, something that Detective Albert Martinez has found immensely helpful.
    Zach Boetto, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • There’s a tremendous sweetness to the film and its central relationships, but the banter ping-pongs swiftly between the intimate and the darkly absurd.
    Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Echavarría noted that Colombia excels in categories such as sportswear, swimwear, intimates and uniforms.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Not a good idea when your intention is to be gracious.
    Judith Martin, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Bottom-liners had also nixed Gehry’s original design for a more gracious lobby with a cafe out front, not the gloomy one installed against his will.
    Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Nevada County’s admission comes as AI programs are under close watch around the globe for introducing incorrect legal references in cases, yet also increasingly offered as tools to help lawyers and judges research and write their briefs, motions and opinions.
    Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Catcher Danny Jansen hit a three-run home run in the seventh inning to bust open a close game, and the Rangers held on for an 8-5 road win over the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday.
    Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Friendly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/friendly. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

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