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
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3
as in ubiquitous
often observed or encountered
the woman and her pair of Welsh corgis were a familiar sight in the quiet neighborhood
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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
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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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of familiar
Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
The action eventually moves to Medellín, with Pine on the trail of a smooth young Colombian mogul, Teddy Dos Santos (Diego Calva), whose combination of philanthropic ties and unsavory connections sound a bit too familiar.
—Judy Berman, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 17 May 2025
But before Guillermo leaves for good, Nandor offers him a seat in his coffin, which unexpectedly is revealed to be the secret entrance to the underground crime-fighting lair much to the former familiar's delight and surprise.
—Stacy Lambe, People.com, 17 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for familiar
Adjective
Reyes is a familiar figure in South Florida, having previously served as Miami-Dade County's director of public safety and having run for Miami-Dade sheriff.
—Noun
The Santal, in South Asia, believed that witches (always female) copulated with spirit familiars and devoured the organs of children.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for familiar
Adjective
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Traffic concerns remained a prominent theme of the more than 100 emails the city received in early December, but many people expressed excitement at the prospect of a closer Costco.—
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The Clippers raced to a 14-5 lead, but the Knicks answered with eight straight points and the game was close for the first three quarters.—
Adjective
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In addition to its informative aspects, the event offers numerous opportunities for networking, Manning added, allowing the attendees to become acquainted and refer business to each other.—
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Caron became acquainted with NESN’s people during the 1994-95 NHL lockout, during which the network covered a number of the Pirates’ games while the Bruins weren’t playing, including a playoff series involving the Pirates and the Providence Bruins.—
Adjective
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Luxury brands have sought to distance themselves from the increasingly shabby in-store experience and ubiquitous mark-downs at department stores.—
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This particular mashup hardly counts as culturally ubiquitous in 2025.—
Adjective
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This version of Ryan was arrogant, unable to conceal pride in his accomplishment.—
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So long as that situation continues, the 43-year-old’s allegedly arrogant and stand-offish treatment of his players will not worry the club hierarchy too much.—
Noun
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That, combined with a decisive second-half performance, represented the good in Sunday’s matchup, the part that may give fans hope about a return trip to the NCAA Tournament.—
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When Posa slammed Washington quarterback Demond Williams to the ground for a game-clincher on fourth-and-6, some 70,000 fans erupted as if thawed from a long freeze.—
Noun
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Victor Quispe Victor Quispe The friend said Quispe was a barber, and he recently got married and his wife is expecting.—
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First, Monty Miller (a suave, anguished Jon Hamm), Tommy’s lifelong friend and billionaire founder of M-Tex, dies suddenly, but not before naming the fixer as the new company president.—
Adjective
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At that point, the operator would recite the most intimate details of a patient’s health history to hook her before launching into a few basic screening questions.—
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The couple tied the knot in an intimate wedding on June 10, 2003, according to an anniversary X post.—
Adjective
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Ohio weather watches and warnings Stay informed.—
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Michigan weather watches and warnings Stay informed.—
Cite this Entry
“Familiar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/familiar. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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