Do your friends inspire you to set goals? Do they support you as you try to reach them? Do they lovingly challenge you when you are wrong?
If so, you have found good friends indeed.
How do you refer to these friends? Do you think of the one closest to you as your best friend? Who is your buddy? Do you have a pal? Some people use the term comrade in reference to their friends.
But what exactly is comradery? How is it different from camaraderie?
What Is Comradery?
Once upon a time in French, camarade referred to a roommate. English adopted (and adapted) this word to form comrade and camaraderie.
Later, the alternate spelling comradery also appeared.
Comradery is a much rarer spelling, but it means the same thing as camaraderie; in fact, many dictionaries use the terms to define each other.
Synonyms include comity, cordiality, goodwill, and neighborliness.
A comrade is a close friend with whom you feel a spirit of friendship, but the word also has a unique connotation for the military. A comrade is a fellow soldier.
As you can imagine, it would be especially important for soldiers to feel a sense of trust and good fellowship within their community. The Communist Party also used the term to refer to its members.
Sometimes you can understand something better by considering what it is not. What are the antonyms of comradery?
They are cold words—hostility, hatred, aloofness, incompatibility.
Could anyone have a close, trusting relationship if they harbored these feelings? Notice how the following quotes demonstrate the warmth and togetherness associated with comradery:
“The comradery of all the people that come is great, we always have so much community support,” she said. ―“ColorRun changes name, race length,” Fremont Tribune
According to Fox 5, the boys had chance encounters with firefighters that grew to comradery. Dukes’ father, Josh Dukes, is a firefighter in Hawaii. ―“2 Boys Fighting Cancer Named Honorary FDNY Firefighters,” Foxnews.com
“I fell in love with the sport right away,” Alecxih said. “There was such a comradery with nine guys working together to achieve something great.” ―“Dream Chaser,” GoStanford.com
So far, Daly’s greatest satisfaction comes from comradery. “The guys are great,” he said. “It’s good to see my old buddies again and hang out with them. They’ll actually talk to you when you’re playing with them on the golf course, which is nice.” ―“Daly paying his dues as PGA Tour Champions rookie,” Des Moines Register
How to Pronounce Comradery
The word “comradery,” which is an alternative spelling of “camaraderie,” is pronounced as \käm-ˈrä-də-rē.
The emphasis is on the first syllable, with the ‘ä’ sounding like the ‘a’ in “father.” The middle part of the word, “-rä-“, sounds like the ‘ra’ in “radar,” and the final part “-də-rē” is pronounced like “duh-ree” with a soft and quick ‘d.’
The Political Definition and Usage of Comradery
“Comradery,” more commonly spelled as “camaraderie,” refers to a spirit of friendly good-fellowship, unity, and trust among a group of people.
In a political context, this term is often used to describe the sense of solidarity and mutual trust among members of a political group, party, or movement.
It emphasizes the bonds and supportive relationships that develop among individuals who share common political goals, ideologies, or experiences.
In politics, comradery can be seen in various scenarios:
- Within Political Parties: Members of the same political party often develop comradery, as they work together towards common political objectives and support each other in various campaigns and initiatives.
- During Social Movements: Comradery is a key element in social and political movements where participants unite over shared causes, such as civil rights, environmental issues, or labor rights. This sense of unity can be a driving force behind the movement’s momentum and success.
- Among Elected Officials: Politicians, despite their differences, may also develop a sense of comradery, especially when working together on bipartisan initiatives or in situations that require cooperation and mutual understanding, such as during crises.
- In Diplomacy: International diplomacy can sometimes foster a sense of comradery among diplomats and leaders from different countries, particularly when they face common challenges or share similar views on international issues.
It’s important to note that while comradery implies a positive, cooperative relationship, it does not necessarily mean that individuals or groups involved will always agree on every issue. It’s more about the mutual respect and support that exists despite potential differences.
Comradery vs. Morale
“Comradery” (or more commonly “camaraderie”) and “morale” are related concepts, but they refer to different aspects of group dynamics and feelings.
Comradery/Camaraderie
- Definition: Comradery refers to the feeling of trust, friendship, and solidarity among members of a group. It’s about the bonds and supportive relationships that develop among individuals who share common goals, experiences, or backgrounds.
- Usage: This term is often used to describe the closeness and mutual support that exists within a team, organization, or community. It emphasizes the interpersonal relationships and the sense of belonging and mutual respect among the group members.
Morale
- Definition: Morale refers to the overall emotional and mental condition of a group or individual as it relates to confidence, enthusiasm, and discipline, especially in the face of challenges or in the pursuit of a cause or objective.
- Usage: Morale is commonly discussed in contexts like workplaces, military units, or sports teams, particularly in terms of how positive or negative morale affects performance, productivity, and persistence. High morale in a group means that its members are motivated, optimistic, and committed to their tasks.
While comradery focuses more on the quality of relationships and sense of unity within a group, morale is more about the group’s overall emotional and mental state, and how this impacts their function and performance.
Both are crucial for the effectiveness and well-being of any team or organization, and they often influence each other — strong comradery can lead to high morale, and high morale can foster and strengthen comradery.
Final Thoughts
Let’s revisit how you speak of your friends.
Are they chums with whom you love to socialize? Bosom buddies to whom you tell all your secrets?
Have you been through a lot of good and bad experiences together? If you feel a particular familiarity and bond, you have found true comradery.