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
Budget-friendly summer holidays means more cash for school supplies and uniforms. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 5 Aug. 2026 The Athletic has live coverage of Arsenal vs Real Betis in a pre-season friendly. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 5 Aug. 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
  • Venus enters Libra and your 3rd House of Communication, helping conversations feel smoother, warmer, and more persuasive.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • November 22 – December 21 Your social world gets warmer and more inviting.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of warm
Adjective
  • And the book bearing his name is no ancient tome but a slim, spare novel set in an unsettlingly familiar landscape.
    — Colin Dwyer, NPR, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Most likely the name Lynn Stiles is at-best vaguely familiar to Chiefs fans.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of familiar
Adjective
  • Friday is here and that means all you Competitive Wordle players, playing against your friends, co-workers, rivals, enemies, or against me or the Wordle Bot, must double your points, whether positive or negative.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Confusion was sparked last month when the Food and Drug Administration announced that a sample of lettuce from Taylor Farms that had tested positive for cyclospora was a false positive.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of positive
Adjective
  • The weather is obliging, hanging on to a breezy 73 degrees with a light overcast.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • On a fickle morning in Miami—the kind where patches of sunshine give way to intervals of torrential rain—Learner Tien has taken shelter deep inside Hard Rock Stadium, the obliging home of the Dolphins, a Formula 1 Grand Prix, and, at the moment, the Miami Open.
    — Jake Nevins, Vogue, 25 June 2026
Definition of obliging
Adjective
  • Being honest about your limits is more helpful than being polite.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • In addition, Kotsay said Heim’s seven seasons of MLB experience are helpful for the A’s many young pitchers and giving the team a consistent presence behind the backstop.
    — Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of helpful
Adverb
  • While some political differences like tax rates can be amicably disagreed on, the transgender issue continues to be a hot-button one.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2026
  • The source says the pair are focused on moving forward amicably and prioritizing their family.
    — Travis Cronin, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026
Definition of amicably
Noun
  • Rafar holds the same role for Hanky Panky, creating scale and synergy across Crown’s intimates portfolio.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 24 July 2026
  • The viral swimsuit is available in 20 different colors, ranging from sizes XS to XL, and that's not the only swim offering this intimates brand offers.
    — Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 24 June 2026
Definition of intimate
Adjective
  • Be open and gracious to comments on how to handle the situation differently in the future.
    — Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • For a day, the WNBA chose normal, and good gracious, what a relief.
    — Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Definition of gracious

Browse Nearby Words

friendliness
friendly
friends
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Cite this Entry

“Friendly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/friendly. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of friendly for Spanish Speakers

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