befriend

[ bih-frend ]

verb (used with object)

1. to make friends or become friendly with; act as a friend to; help; aid:

   to befriend the lonely and the disregarded.

   Synonyms: welcome, succor, sustain, encourage, assist, associate, ally

befriend

/ bɪˈfrɛnd /

verb

1. tr to be a friend to; assist; favour

Other Words From

• unbe·friended adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of befriend¹

First recorded in 1550–60; be- + friend

Example Sentences

He diligently befriended Cordelia Scaife May, an heiress to Andrew Mellon’s fortunes who funded forest preservation across Pennsylvania and believed in curtailing population growth, endearing himself to her with gauzy appeals.

From Salon

"He picked on a few boys within that group, befriend us, invited us back out to lunch at his family home and slowly over the years became a sort of father figure to me."

From BBC

But he also befriended them and found inspiration for his art.

From Los Angeles Times

When he was 14, he befriended a teenager named Ray Charles.

From Los Angeles Times

He had befriended Harris in law school in San Francisco, and when she had first revealed her plans to run for D.A., he remembers thinking she didn’t have a chance.

From BBC

Related Words

• advise
• aid
• patronize