as in joining
to become a friend to (someone)
He befriended the new student.
Related Words
Relevance
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 befriending
Even the part about befriending a notorious pedophile?
—
Ellise Shafer, Variety, 28 Mar. 2026
Even the bit about befriending a notorious paedophile?
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 28 Mar. 2026
Liza Minnelli's iconic career has included both starring alongside and befriending some of Hollywood's most prolific names, from Elizabeth Taylor to Michael Jackson.
—Sharareh Drury, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
More and more people are avoiding dating or befriending those with opposing political views, and growing numbers describe those on the other side as closed-minded, dishonest, immoral and unintelligent.
—Justin Callais, Twin Cities, 5 Mar. 2026
More and more people are avoiding dating or befriending those with opposing political views, and growing numbers describe those on the other side as closed-minded, dishonest, immoral and unintelligent.
—Justin Callais, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
Jingliang Su, a Chinese national, faces almost four years in prison for his role in crypto fraud that relied on befriending Americans on social media, then winning their trust in order to fleece them.
—Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2026
The only problem with this whole Hollywood Cinderella story is that Simon is secretly harboring superpowers, a big no-no for the entertainment industry, and Trevor has some ulterior motives in befriending this real-life superhero who wants to play a superhero in a movie.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Adapting the second installment, which was released in 2014, the movie continues the adventures of Hiccup (Thames), the dragon-befriending Viking who opened up his village to the possibilities of coexisting with the flying, fire-breathing creatures.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 15 Jan. 2026
Ellise Shafer, Variety, 28 Mar. 2026
Even the bit about befriending a notorious paedophile?
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 28 Mar. 2026
Liza Minnelli's iconic career has included both starring alongside and befriending some of Hollywood's most prolific names, from Elizabeth Taylor to Michael Jackson.
—Sharareh Drury, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
More and more people are avoiding dating or befriending those with opposing political views, and growing numbers describe those on the other side as closed-minded, dishonest, immoral and unintelligent.
—Justin Callais, Twin Cities, 5 Mar. 2026
More and more people are avoiding dating or befriending those with opposing political views, and growing numbers describe those on the other side as closed-minded, dishonest, immoral and unintelligent.
—Justin Callais, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
Jingliang Su, a Chinese national, faces almost four years in prison for his role in crypto fraud that relied on befriending Americans on social media, then winning their trust in order to fleece them.
—Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2026
The only problem with this whole Hollywood Cinderella story is that Simon is secretly harboring superpowers, a big no-no for the entertainment industry, and Trevor has some ulterior motives in befriending this real-life superhero who wants to play a superhero in a movie.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Adapting the second installment, which was released in 2014, the movie continues the adventures of Hiccup (Thames), the dragon-befriending Viking who opened up his village to the possibilities of coexisting with the flying, fire-breathing creatures.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 15 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for befriending
Verb
-
Before joining the Administration, Rogers practiced as a First Amendment lawyer whose clients included Charlie Kirk and Douglass Mackey, an alt-right meme poster who had been convicted of voter suppression, a charge that was later overturned.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
None of this even includes Rahm’s reported $300million to $400m signing bonus for joining LIV from the PGA Tour in the first place in December 2023.—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The memorial includes two metal American flag signs on the Cloverdale Road overpass that drivers can see while traveling the Interstate, one in each direction.—
Rose Evans
April 4,
Idaho Statesman,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Want to learn something new while traveling?—
Julie Bielenberg,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Many women spend years in treatment for depression without anyone connecting it back to hormones.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
-
One of those ideas that Segall cites as core to that thesis is a true crime concept centered around deepfakes, taking a genre that people know and enjoy, and connecting it to the world of technology in a unique way.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Befriending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/befriending. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
