as in to friend
to become a friend to (someone)
He befriended the new student.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 befriend
Smalls’ Paradise, the storied Harlem club where young Malcolm befriended jazz giants, is now an IHOP.
—
Lizzie Skurnick, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Downer and Douglas had befriended each other on Instagram, only to meet in person for the first time during the auditions for Flo.
—The New York Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2025
Her Detective Silva was transferred from Brooklyn's Homicide Division and quickly befriended Velasco, meaning Martinez and Pisano have so far shared many scenes.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 7 May 2025
Perhaps Nikola Jovic, who was befriended by Butler (although with Jovic now back in Serbia, the time difference could be an issue).
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for befriend
Lizzie Skurnick, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Downer and Douglas had befriended each other on Instagram, only to meet in person for the first time during the auditions for Flo.
—The New York Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2025
Her Detective Silva was transferred from Brooklyn's Homicide Division and quickly befriended Velasco, meaning Martinez and Pisano have so far shared many scenes.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 7 May 2025
Perhaps Nikola Jovic, who was befriended by Butler (although with Jovic now back in Serbia, the time difference could be an issue).
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for befriend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for befriend
Verb
-
How 'Ratatouille' made Patton Oswalt and Anthony Bourdain friends Anthony Bourdain's TV and movie cameos: The Simpsons, Archer and more Johnson has also been linked to a potential Magic the Gathering film project from Legendary and Hasbro, according to Deadline.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
23 Apr. 2025
-
Its parental control options also allow families to block their children from specific games and experiences, to limit how much time their children can spend on Roblox and to manage which friends their children play with online.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Italian rookies Emma Fioravanti, Giulia Perotti, and Sofia Tonelli joined the two Olympians on Monday’s podium.—
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
-
Nick Blake joins a Maryland team with several other freshman additions, including five-star shooting guard Darius Adams and international prospect Guillermo Del Pino.—
Bennett Conlin,
Baltimore Sun,
27 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Befriend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/befriend. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share