1
as in close
closely acquainted
the little inside jokes that people who have long been familiar like to share
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in acquainted
having information especially as a result of study or experience
book editors who are familiar with what is being taught in the schools
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in ubiquitous
often observed or encountered
the woman and her pair of Welsh corgis were a familiar sight in the quiet neighborhood
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in arrogant
showing a lack of proper social reserve or modesty
rather too familiar for a first-time guest in our home, the woman kept asking how much we paid for this or for that
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in fan
someone who regularly spends time in a particular place
a longtime familiar of the bar, she would most likely have been there on the night in question
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in friend
a person who has a strong liking for and trust in another
with old familiars the normally reserved writer can be quite warm and funny
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 familiar
James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 17 May 2025
Aah, the familiar smells of summer: The tropical, coconut-y scent of sunscreen and after-sun lotions.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 17 May 2025
Joy Williams, Harper's Magazine, 14 Dec. 2022
Most recently, the actor played Count Dracula in this year's Renfield opposite Nicholas Hoult's titular familiar.
—Clark Collis, EW.com, 17 May 2023
See All Example Sentences for familiar
Adjective
The only thing separating the Knicks from the NBA Finals is a familiar nemesis: the Indiana Pacers.
—James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 17 May 2025
Aah, the familiar smells of summer: The tropical, coconut-y scent of sunscreen and after-sun lotions.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 17 May 2025
Noun
The girl is writing a letter to her brother, and the visitation, the Kid, the Thalidomide Kid, her frightful familiar, is taunting her.
—Joy Williams, Harper's Magazine, 14 Dec. 2022
Most recently, the actor played Count Dracula in this year's Renfield opposite Nicholas Hoult's titular familiar.
—Clark Collis, EW.com, 17 May 2023
See All Example Sentences for familiar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for familiar
Adjective
-
Simple solution: The Derby and Preakness are too close at 14 days apart.—
Greg Cote,
Miami Herald,
11 May 2025
-
This time, the Knicks couldn’t get any closer, as the Celtics won 115-93 to cut their series deficit to two games to one.—
Tim Casey,
Forbes.com,
11 May 2025
Adjective
-
Broncos fans became acquainted with Perine in 2023 as the veteran running back who turned into a favorite third-down target and a two-minute weapon for Russell Wilson.—
Troy Renck,
The Denver Post,
4 Feb. 2025
-
Research potential employers and become acquainted with their primary products, financial and commercial performance, values and business activities.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Beyond the fact that using AI tools to write is generally frowned upon and considered to be unethical, AI writing has become so ubiquitous that using AI or modeling one’s work off of it is a surefire way to make your materials blend into a sea of other cookie-cutter essays.—
Christopher Rim,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
-
This is story about untangling the mysteries as to why something so ubiquitous – and seemingly endless – could be on the cusp of disappearing entirely.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
13 May 2025
Adjective
-
For example, when a man in his sixties talks about the same thing, he’s seen as calm and logical, but when a woman in her twenties talks about it, she’s seen as arrogant or trying to act mature.—
Billboard Japan,
Billboard,
15 May 2025
-
By losing some of its arrogant charm, Doom has also lost the means to back it up.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
15 May 2025
Noun
-
For households seeking more cooling options, the lineup at Della home appliance also includes window AC units, portable ACs, central air systems, and a new tower fan set to launch in May.—
Jon Stojan,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
-
The hope, for both sets of players, is that victory in Bilbao can be the ultimate distraction from their misgivings in the league, and give their respective fans something to cheer about in an otherwise chastening season.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
9 May 2025
Noun
-
Next week, Kerry Morgan, a former friend of Cassie Ventura, is expected to testify in the trial.—
Alisha Ebrahimji,
CNN Money,
17 May 2025
-
Performing in front of small crowds that sometimes only consisted of family and friends was common for Owens but was balanced by hearing his music on local radio stations like 103.5 The Beat.—
Michael Butler,
Miami Herald,
17 May 2025
Adjective
-
Lower-income Californians also are more likely to live in tight quarters, making privacy for an intimate therapy session difficult.—
Phillip Reese,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2025
-
In two weeks, guests will visit UNESCO sites like Luang Prabang, witness elephants in their natural habitats, attend an intimate Baci ceremony led by a Lao prince, attend a private fashion show from one of Cambodia’s top designers, take a helicopter tour over the Khmer temples of Angkor, and more.—
Opheli Garcia Lawler,
Travel + Leisure,
8 May 2025
Adjective
-
From library shelves to classrooms, censorship limits exposure to diverse viewpoints and restricts informed engagement with complex social issues.—
Laura Backstrom,
Scientific American,
8 May 2025
-
Prepare To Pay More For Top Quality Work Businesses must stay informed on the payment trends of gig workers and contractors.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
8 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Familiar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/familiar. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share