befriend
/bɪˈfrɛnd
/verb [with object]
Act as or become a friend to (someone), especially when they are in need of help or support: he makes a point of befriending newcomers to Parliament...
- She befriended him and offered support after reading about the 1995 case in the news.
- While a supervision order is in force it is the duty of the supervisor to advise, assist and befriend a supervised child.
- Daniel befriended a girl on the way who had friends that would let him stay in their apartment.
Synonyms
make friends with, make a friend of, look after, protect, keep an eye on, support, back, stand by, side with, encourage, sustain, uphold, succour, advise, guide;
help, assist, aid, be of service to, lend a helping hand to
