Synonym Chooser

How does the verb afford contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of afford are bestow, confer, donate, give, and present. While all these words mean "to convey to another as a possession," afford implies a giving or bestowing usually as a natural or legitimate consequence of the character of the giver.

the trees afford shade
a development that affords us some hope

When is bestow a more appropriate choice than afford?

The words bestow and afford can be used in similar contexts, but bestow implies the conveying of something as a gift and may suggest condescension on the part of the giver.

bestow unwanted advice

When would confer be a good substitute for afford?

In some situations, the words confer and afford are roughly equivalent. However, confer implies a gracious giving (as of a favor or honor).

confer an honorary degree

When can donate be used instead of afford?

The words donate and afford are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, donate is likely to imply a publicized giving (as to charity).

donate a piano to the orphanage

When is it sensible to use give instead of afford?

The meanings of give and afford largely overlap; however, give, the general term, is applicable to any passing over of anything by any means.

give alms
gave her a ride on a pony
give my love to your mother

When might present be a better fit than afford?

Although the words present and afford have much in common, present carries a note of formality and ceremony.

present an award

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 afford Leipold also feels that, despite investing so much of the salary cap in Kaprizov, the Wild will still be able to afford big fish via free agency or trade. Michael Russo, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025 A lot of it was the distance that I was afforded, the seeming distance that I was afforded. Ed Meza, Variety, 30 Sep. 2025 Union officials said many of them couldn't afford the childcare or the gas needed to get to work. ABC News, 30 Sep. 2025 More than 24 million people buy their own marketplace insurance and most use the credits to afford their monthly healthcare premiums, according to health policy research group KFF. Michel Martin, NPR, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for afford
Recent Examples of Synonyms for afford
Verb
  • So if this plan goes into effect, the question of who makes up the Palestinian technocratic administration might certainly be one of the main stumbling blocks.
    Asher Kaufman, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Lock up your ticket and go hide.
    Chris Sims, IndyStar, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Johnson's offense got things going in the second half.
    Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The biggest stage in American entertainment is about to get some serious Latin flavor.
    Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 29 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Afford.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/afford. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

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