friendly 1 of 3

1
2
3
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

friendly

2 of 3

adverb

friendly

3 of 3

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

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
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 Midtown offices offers an excellent view — especially of the giant purple robot and friendly-looking hot dog that are waving from behind skyscrapers. Lyndsey Havens, Billboard, 28 July 2022
Adverb
Dave Baldwin, the Fire’s president of business operations, said the stadium would be busy throughout the year, with about 20 Fire soccer matches and a dozen concerts, international friendlies and other major events scheduled annually. Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025 Players will then compete for their clubs, either in Major League Soccer or abroad, and then return for more friendlies before the World Cup. Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 11 June 2025
Noun
Recently sober, Felix has his own complement of bandmates, friends and friendly ex-girlfriends, including three women named Polly — Adèle Exarchopoulos plays the important one — whose history with Felix makes Jess nervous. Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025 Their previous encounter, during Arsenal’s pre-season friendly against United in Los Angeles last summer, ended with Heaven leaving Mount on the grass through a foul from behind. Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for friendly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for friendly
Adjective
  • Garages can be much warmer than the rest of homes due to poor insulation.
    Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 29 July 2025
  • Since the 1950s, average temperatures in July have trended roughly 2.7 degrees warmer, according to the weather service.
    Joyce Orlando, The Tennessean, 29 July 2025
Adjective
  • Once the Waymo arrives, riders will be able to unlock the vehicle, open the trunk and start the trip, all from their familiar Uber app.
    Beck Andrew Salgado, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • And which familiar voices will play its ensemble of cops, crooks, and citizens?
    EW.com, EW.com, 30 July 2025
Adjective
  • This incident comes after her previous legal troubles, including a positive marijuana test at the 2021 U.S. Olympic trials that prevented her from competing at the Tokyo Olympics.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Aug. 2025
  • Eyes of Wakanda has made it to enough critics to gather eight reviews, all of which are positive, to give it a 100% score.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • To date, more than 11,000 TikTok users have commented on the post, with many voicing their comedic takes on the viral moment and the cat's obliging demeanor.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
  • Related Articles Until now exhibitions culminated in Saint Laurent’s studio on the upper floor of the museum, obliging visitors to backtrack toward the exit.
    Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • But new jobs are helpful regardless of the number, according to Beaver Dam business owners.
    Rick Barrett, jsonline.com, 30 July 2025
  • With districts in desperate need of more funding, any additional administrative money from the state to schools could be helpful, said Suzanne Bellsnyder, a mother and community member who lives in Spearman, a community in the Panhandle.
    Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Noun
  • He was joined in the presidential suite on the 21st floor by a small crowd of his remaining intimates.
    Jonathan Mahler, Curbed, 1 Aug. 2025
  • But braving the outside world in your intimates is not an entirely new concept.
    Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 29 July 2025
Adjective
  • The man was gifted, gracious, often generous and seldom mean-spirited.
    Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 10 July 2025
  • But goodness gracious, the Rockies are only (14-36) under Schaeffer after going 7-33 under Black.
    Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 8 July 2025
Adjective
  • With the calendar officially flipped to August, the Miami Herald is counting down 30 of the most important players on the Hurricanes’ roster, one per day leading up to the season opener, to provide a closer look at the team heading into coach Mario Cristobal’s fourth season.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 3 Aug. 2025
  • Moussa Mara, Mali's former prime minister, was detained pending trial over expressing compassion on X for people jailed for their political beliefs, said Abdoulaye Yaro, a close associate.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Friendly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/friendly. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on friendly

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!