befriend

verb

be·​friend bi-ˈfrend How to pronounce befriend (audio)
befriended; befriending; befriends
Synonyms of befriendnext

transitive verb

: to become or act as a friend to
befriended the new student

Examples of befriend in a Sentence

He befriended the new student.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Likewise, the main director whom the Minions befriend, Max (Christoph Waltz), has a European accent, a derby-tip to the industry’s immigrant roots. Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 In Season 3, Herman was introduced as Heather, who along with her husband, befriends newlyweds Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) and Nate (Jacob Elordi) amid their life in the California suburbs. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 29 June 2026 At one point, Jessie befriends a gang of tech toys that includes a low-tech potty-training product named Smarty Pants, along with GPS and camera devices Atlas and Snappy. Rachel Hale, USA Today, 26 June 2026 Bad choices like that are a through-line for this whole story, all the way back to Otto Hightower encouraging his daughter, Alicent, to befriend Rhaenyra’s father, King Viserys. Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for befriend

Word History

First Known Use

1559, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of befriend was in 1559

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Befriend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/befriend. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

befriend

verb
be·​friend bi-ˈfrend How to pronounce befriend (audio)
: to become or act as a friend to

More from Merriam-Webster on befriend

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