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The words friendly<\/em><\/a> and neighborly<\/em><\/a> are common synonyms of amicable<\/em>. While all three words mean \"exhibiting goodwill and an absence of antagonism,\" amicable<\/em> implies a state of peace and a desire on the part of the parties not to quarrel.<\/p>

\/\/ maintained amicable<\/em> relations<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When can 'friendly' be used instead of 'amicable'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words friendly<\/em><\/a> and amicable<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, friendly<\/em> stresses cordiality and often warmth or intimacy of personal relations.<\/p>

\/\/ sought friendly<\/em> advice<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is it sensible to use 'neighborly' instead of 'amicable'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The synonyms neighborly<\/em><\/a> and amicable<\/em> are sometimes interchangeable, but neighborly<\/em> implies a disposition to live on good terms with others and to be helpful on principle.<\/p>

\/\/ neighborly<\/em> concern<\/p>" } } ] }

amicable

adjective

ˈa-mi-kÉ™-bÉ™l How to pronounce amicable (audio)
Definition of amicablenext
1
as in compatible
having or marked by agreement in feeling or action the contract negotiations between the hotel workers and management were reasonably amicable

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in friendly
having or showing kindly feeling and sincere interest finds his coworkers at his new job just as amicable as he ever could have hoped

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective amicable contrast with its synonyms?

The words friendly and neighborly are common synonyms of amicable. While all three words mean "exhibiting goodwill and an absence of antagonism," amicable implies a state of peace and a desire on the part of the parties not to quarrel.

maintained amicable relations

When can friendly be used instead of amicable?

In some situations, the words friendly and amicable are roughly equivalent. However, friendly stresses cordiality and often warmth or intimacy of personal relations.

sought friendly advice

When is it sensible to use neighborly instead of amicable?

The synonyms neighborly and amicable are sometimes interchangeable, but neighborly implies a disposition to live on good terms with others and to be helpful on principle.

neighborly concern

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 amicable The Kymanda divorce has been as collaborative as Loverboy once was, and Batula wants to underscore that this is an amicable separation. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Mar. 2026 Throughout Friday, a growing chorus of lawmakers had called on the parties to deescalate their feud and come to an amicable solution, contrasting with the relative silence from Anthropic and the Pentagon in the hours before the deadline. —Jared Perlo, NBC news, 27 Feb. 2026 Weinstein and Aidala, who argued the appeal and represented Weinstein at his original trial and retrial, appeared to come to a mutual and amicable agreement about the lawyer's shifting role. —CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026 Weinstein and Aidala, who argued the appeal and represented Weinstein at his original trial and retrial, appeared to come to a mutual and amicable agreement about the lawyer’s shifting role. —ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for amicable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for amicable
  1. compatible
  2. friendly
  3. unanimous
  4. warm
  5. gracious
Adjective
  • And with a new space station comes the opportunity to design spacecraft and other technology compatible with it.
    — Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Despite running on an iPhone chip, the Neo can download apps from any source—not just the App Store—and any app that a Mac is compatible with, so is the Neo.
    — PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of compatible
Adjective
  • Rentals are complimentary for those staying in Bella Grande’s suites, but anyone in the hotel can book the bikes to cycle around the extremely bike-friendly city for a small fee.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Mar. 2026
  • With Sprout, the focus shifts toward human-friendly machines that can integrate into everyday life, potentially redefining how people interact with robots at home.
    — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of friendly
Adjective
  • Their roster boasts two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani — widely considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time and who has won four league MVP awards, all by unanimous vote, in the past five seasons.
    — Michael McGough, Sacbee.com, 26 Mar. 2026
  • At the civil trial, the jury needed only an hour to return a unanimous verdict in favor of the musician whose testimony went viral.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of unanimous
Adjective
  • It’s been nearly three years since James and Patricia MacEgan went out for a stroll on a warm spring afternoon in a field near Mahany Park in Roseville.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 26 Mar. 2026
  • For leafy greens, rinse under low-pressure warm water, spin dry in a colander and wash the colander after.
    — Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of warm
Adjective
  • Bottom-liners had also nixed Gehry’s original design for a more gracious lobby with a cafe out front, not the gloomy one installed against his will.
    — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Unbothered in a contrast to many of his stature, Curry is extremely gracious, always stopping for fans to interact personally.
    — Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2026
Definition of gracious

Browse Nearby Words

amicability
amicable
amicableness
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Cite this Entry

“Amicable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amicable. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on amicable

Nglish: Translation of amicable for Spanish Speakers

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