CHUMS Synonyms: 116 Similar and Opposite Words

chums 1 of 2

noun

plural of chum

as in friends

a person who has a strong liking for and trust in another college chums who go way back

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

chums

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of chum

as in associates

to come or be together as friends they always chum around together

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 chums

Noun

As his college chums settled into respectable professions, Hawthorne shrank from the grim prospect of free enterprise. — Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026 Commissioned by Mattel as a blatant weekly half-hour commercial for its popular toy line, the show pits He-Man and his heroic chums against the evil (but strangely inept) Skeletor in a battle for control of Castle Grayskull. — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 5 July 2026 To be sure, Maher’s ready wit and spontaneous repartee as a talk show host were central themes for the parade of chums who praised the honoree. — Paul Harris, Variety, 29 June 2026 In this entry, the third of the series, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) and his chums at a children’s finishing school for magicians called Hogwarts must work together to protect Harry from a killer named Sirius Black (Gary Oldman), who intends to kill the young wizard. — David Faris, TheWeek, 16 Apr. 2026 Now, Byfield and chums are hitting their stride at the right moment. — Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026 The other thing is this is not just a group of Khan’s chums. — Nick Miller, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026 The passing of his striking mother at age 35 from breast cancer, a woman who attracted many of his elementary school chums to vie for a spot in her carpool, devastated a young Felder at the dawn of his teen years. — David John Chávez, Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2026 The shot was redirected home by Marchment, ingratiating him with his new chums. — Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 21 Dec. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for chums

Noun

Lubelo has also persuaded several friends to join the school, becoming something of an ambassador in a community where magic is often frowned upon and associated with witchcraft.

— Julie Bourdin, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
The series interviews two of Perry’s closest friends — industry pal Kevin Pollak, and his sister Mia Perry Bowick, who eventually became a therapist well-versed in addiction in large part because of her big brother’s struggle.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of friends

Verb

Innova also associates afternoon snacking specifically with satisfaction, while other dayparts lean toward refreshment or indulgence.

— Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026
The Shiji associates Sun Tzu with Wu’s campaigns against its powerful rival Chu, including the campaign that culminated in the capture of the Chu capital, Ying, in 506 bce.

— Ethan Teekah, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of associates

Noun

They are being rounded up and sent for slaughter by the government that wants the land for its rich buddies and industry.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026
And so the best buddies, who’ve been flirting since Season 1, are finally single at the same time.

— Judy Berman, Time, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of buddies

Verb

The Orionid meteor shower activity peaks when Earth travels through the densest section of the debris trail left by Comet 1P/Halley.

— Anthony Wood, Space.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Health data travels from home medical devices through applications, cloud platforms and hospital systems before reaching a clinician, and each step widens the digital footprint.

— Ayush Jain, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of travels

Verb

In one sequence, Jay bonds with a wayward jellyfish — much like Tom Hanks with his volleyball, Wilson, in Castaway.

— Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 18 Oct. 2026
The young man who bonds with the ghost of his a–hole father while trapped in a gooey cushion of whale intestines stays with the ghost of his a–hole father.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of bonds

Verb

Maryland's Governor Wes Moore, who is endorsing an independent candidate in one key Senate race, joins me here on the studio.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
The deal joins a growing list of actions in which the Republican president has sided with Putin, often at Ukraine's expense.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of joins

Verb

Blacksmith, a startup that runs the infrastructure companies use to test code before it ships, has been valued at $1 billion following a new $66 million funding round led by Sequoia Capital.

— Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
The person runs their fingers over the camera twice, then eats a banana through the mask before walking away.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of runs

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chumps

chums

chunk

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Chums.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chums. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of chums

noun

verb

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