How to Use befriend in a Sentence

befriend

verb
  • He befriended the new student.
  • These agents could try to befriend them and gain their trust.
    — Peter Suciu, Forbes, 15 July 2022
  • Men crawl in their skin, nest in salt, and befriend darkness.
    — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 24 Oct. 2019
  • The book ends when two children befriend a new kid at school named Omad.
    — Rochelle Olson, Star Tribune, 30 Oct. 2020
  • Lisa died before anyone in our grade who was brave enough could befriend her.
    — Sarah Paley, The New Yorker, 16 Nov. 2021
  • Seek out and befriend younger people besides your own age-mates.
    — Carolyn Rosenblatt, Forbes, 26 Mar. 2023
  • Here are four tips on how to befriend the discomfort of taking a risk.
    — Yec, Forbes, 15 June 2021
  • Vanessa always had a smile or kind word for those in need and befriended all.
    — Hartford Courant, courant.com, 28 May 2018
  • Akers says the first scout leader to befriend and abuse him never did.
    — Tim Prudente, baltimoresun.com, 13 Nov. 2020
  • Akers says the first scout leader to befriend and abuse him never did.
    — Tim Prudente, Washington Post, 18 Nov. 2020
  • My husband would want to befriend someone and take the time needed to be with him.
    — San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2019
  • Gacy befriended Bolton, inviting him to take a hike around the lake.
    — Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Come for drinks at the bar repeatedly and befriend the staff.
    — Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 May 2026
  • Most residents love to fish and those who don't make sure to befriend someone who does.
    — Anchorage Daily News, 2 May 2018
  • Cassie befriends a racy classmate and starts running with the party crowd.
    — Laura Miller, Slate Magazine, 20 Sep. 2017
  • Evert’s urge to befriend Navratilova won out over her reserve.
    — Sally Jenkins, Anchorage Daily News, 3 July 2023
  • Many residents love to fish, and those who don’t make sure to befriend someone who does.
    — Mara Severin, Anchorage Daily News, 27 June 2021
  • The best way to keep an eye on your father might be to befriend his wife, as much as possible.
    — Ask Amy, al, 25 May 2019
  • If all else fails, just try to befriend weather-friendly colors.
    — Perri Ormont Blumberg, Architectural Digest, 19 June 2026
  • So, bots befriend bots and then, voilà, the bot achieves general appeal.
    — Shiran Weitzman, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2022
  • His lack of fear gave him the ability to befriend anyone and try anything.
    — Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Dec. 2025
  • This is the time when leaders need to befriend daily coaching skills to add value to their teams.
    — Edyta Kwiatkowska, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2021
  • In those years, Lum has befriended most of the owners of the major sports teams.
    — Jonathan Kauffman, San Francisco Chronicle, 1 Nov. 2017
  • Is there any chance Holly will befriend a flying horse this season?
    — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 27 Nov. 2025
  • Youssef Hafyane smiles and befriends new people as well as enjoying old friends.
    — Kelly Wilkinson, IndyStar, 5 Dec. 2025
  • The folk-rock icon later would befriend and record with both Sahm and Meyers.
    — Hector Saldana, San Antonio Express-News, 9 Mar. 2026
  • The 16-year-old will often befriend others who have a good sense of humor just like her.
    — The Star, Kansas City Star, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Mice and chimps seem to have the scent smarts to know immediately who to befriend and who to rebuff.
    — Sasha Warren, Scientific American, 24 June 2022
  • Park it on one of the benches along a stream and befriend the garden’s resident turtles.
    — Zoie Matthew, Los Angeles Magazine, 2 Oct. 2017
  • And part of that damage control looked like trying to befriend Keanu a little bit.
    — Dalton Ross, EW.com, 8 Aug. 2025

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'befriend.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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