What is the opposite of “befriend”?

What is the antonym of “befriend”?

The antonyms of befriend are alienate, ignore, and shun. These words describe actions that are opposite to making friends. They imply a lack of interest, rejection, or hostility towards someone.

Brief Definitions of the Antonym(s)

Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!

alienate

To cause someone to feel isolated, estranged, or disconnected from others.

Example

His rude behavior towards his colleagues started to alienate him from the team.

ignore

To pay no attention to someone or something; to disregard or overlook.

Example

She decided to ignore her ex-boyfriend's messages and move on with her life.

shun

To avoid or reject someone deliberately; to keep away from or refuse to associate with.

Example

The new student was shunned by his classmates because of his accent and clothes.

How are these antonyms different from each other?

• 1. Alienate implies causing someone to feel disconnected or estranged from others, while befriend implies making friends with someone.
• 2. Ignore means paying no attention to someone or something, while befriend means actively seeking friendship.
• 3. Shun means avoiding or rejecting someone deliberately, while befriend means making an effort to establish a friendly relationship.

Good things to know

• 1. Social Situations: Use these antonyms to describe social dynamics and relationships.
• 2. Conflict Resolution: Incorporate these words to discuss ways to resolve conflicts and improve communication.
• 3. Vocabulary Building: Learn these antonyms to expand your vocabulary and improve your language skills.

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Remember this!

The antonyms of befriend are alienate, ignore, and shun. These words describe actions that are opposite to making friends. Use them to describe social dynamics, resolve conflicts, and expand your vocabulary.