as in to friend
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 befriend
In-ho is back in his role as Front Man after the psychological experiment of entering the games and befriending Gi-hun, while No-eul (Park Gyuyoung) will continue to offer viewers a look inside the guards’ lives.
—
Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 18 June 2025
While the Moon is befriending Stella and deadheading begonias, however, its absence from the sky is causing real problems around the world, disrupting the tides and destabilizing the rotation of the Earth.
—Caroline Carlson
june 30, Literary Hub, 30 June 2025
Ian Holloway painted portraits, Tony Pulis studied Napoleon and Thomas Tuchel befriended an 80-year-old swimmer who encouraged him to visit art galleries.
—Stuart James, New York Times, 29 June 2025
The plucky teen son of the chief, a boy named Hiccup (played by Mason Thames), befriends a sleek black dragon named Toothless and learns that fighting the beasts isn’t the only answer.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for befriend
Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 18 June 2025
While the Moon is befriending Stella and deadheading begonias, however, its absence from the sky is causing real problems around the world, disrupting the tides and destabilizing the rotation of the Earth.
—Caroline Carlson
june 30, Literary Hub, 30 June 2025
Ian Holloway painted portraits, Tony Pulis studied Napoleon and Thomas Tuchel befriended an 80-year-old swimmer who encouraged him to visit art galleries.
—Stuart James, New York Times, 29 June 2025
The plucky teen son of the chief, a boy named Hiccup (played by Mason Thames), befriends a sleek black dragon named Toothless and learns that fighting the beasts isn’t the only answer.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for befriend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for befriend
Verb
-
Brad and Tina Perry, of League City, were camping in their RV in Kerrville when the rain-swollen waters rose early in the morning on Friday, July 4, friends Steven and Debbie Whatley told CBS affiliate KHOU.—
Abigail Adams,
People.com,
6 July 2025
-
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
Verb
-
Blake’s parents, wife and infant daughter are joining him, while Swanson mentioned his whole family is tagging along.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
14 July 2025
-
Flores is the third Lake Central player drafted by the Brewers in as many years, joining former teammates Josh Adamczewski in 2023 and Griffin Tobias in 2024.—
Staff Report,
Chicago Tribune,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Befriend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/befriend. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share