FURNISH Synonyms: 62 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'furnish' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of furnish are accoutre , appoint , equip , and outfit . While all these words mean "to supply one with what is needed," furnish implies the provision of any or all essentials for performing a function. // a sparsely furnished apartment

Q: When would 'accoutre' be a good substitute for 'furnish'?

The synonyms accoutre and furnish are sometimes interchangeable, but accoutre suggests the supplying of personal dress or equipment for a special activity. // fully accoutred members of a polar expedition

Q: When is 'appoint' a more appropriate choice than 'furnish'?

The words appoint and furnish can be used in similar contexts, but appoint implies provision of complete and usually elegant or elaborate equipment or furnishings. // a lavishly appointed apartment

Q: When can 'equip' be used instead of 'furnish'?

While the synonyms equip and furnish are close in meaning, equip suggests the provision of something making for efficiency in action or use. // a fully equipped kitchen

Q: Where would 'outfit' be a reasonable alternative to 'furnish'?

While in some cases nearly identical to furnish , outfit implies provision of a complete list or set of articles as for a journey, an expedition, or a special occupation. // outfitted the family for a ski trip

furnish

verb

ˈfər-nish

Definition of furnish next

as in to equip

to provide (someone) with what is needed for a task or activity the art students were furnished with brushes, crayons, pencils, and various other art supplies

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to provide

to put (something) into the possession of someone for use or consumption we'll gladly furnish the food for any out-of-town guests

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb furnish contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of furnish are accoutre, appoint, equip, and outfit. While all these words mean "to supply one with what is needed," furnish implies the provision of any or all essentials for performing a function.

a sparsely furnished apartment

When would accoutre be a good substitute for furnish?

The synonyms accoutre and furnish are sometimes interchangeable, but accoutre suggests the supplying of personal dress or equipment for a special activity.

fully accoutred members of a polar expedition

When is appoint a more appropriate choice than furnish?

The words appoint and furnish can be used in similar contexts, but appoint implies provision of complete and usually elegant or elaborate equipment or furnishings.

a lavishly appointed apartment

When can equip be used instead of furnish?

While the synonyms equip and furnish are close in meaning, equip suggests the provision of something making for efficiency in action or use.

a fully equipped kitchen

Where would outfit be a reasonable alternative to furnish?

While in some cases nearly identical to furnish, outfit implies provision of a complete list or set of articles as for a journey, an expedition, or a special occupation.

outfitted the family for a ski trip

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 furnish Andrew Maddock, 29, a full-time content creator, spent the last year and a half renovating and furnishing his one-bedroom apartment in Chicago. —

The New York Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Jan. 2025 If there’s some relief in the housing market, HomeGoods should see additional upside as consumers furnish their new homes. —

Paulina Likos, CNBC, 30 Dec. 2024 Other cities around the planet had heavy industries and daily traffic jams, but L.A.’s geography furnishes its sky with a long memory. —

Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 11 Jan. 2025 Each day brought new costs: $47,000 for an HVAC system; $170,000 to the general contractor; $130,000 to stock the playground and furnish the building. —

ProPublica, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for furnish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for furnish

Verb

More broadly, however, experts have told PEOPLE that urban infrastructure is not currently equipped to battle the kinds of firestorms like the one that swept through L.A. this month, fueled in large part by viciously strong winds.

— Charmaine Patterson, People.com, 24 Jan. 2025
Just four months ago, in mid-September, the Brigade’s first 50 members, ranging in age from their mid-20s to mid-70s, were formally taught, equipped, and deployed as official volunteers.

— Emma Marie Jenkinson, Vogue, 24 Jan. 2025