Synonyms of afford

afford

verb

ə-ˈfȯrd 

as in to go

to have enough money for

we can't afford a new car this year

Synonyms & Similar Words

• go
• get
• swing
• purchase
• obtain
• take
• procure
• offer
• acquire
• pay (for)
• finance
• expend
• cover
• secure
• subsidize
• underwrite
• outlay
• bid
• spring (for)
• pick up
• pony up
• endow
• bankroll

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

Recent Examples of afford

While large companies that can afford to employ their own data science and machine learning teams do sometimes develop bespoke algorithms, this capability has been out of the reach of most medium and small businesses. —Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2025

Neither country can afford to return to the prior tariff rates during the heat of tit-for-tat retaliations, which freaked out Big Tech earlier this year. —Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 15 Sep. 2025

This is a next-man-up situation, where the Giants can’t afford to add anyone to the active roster other than the player with the best chance to help the team right now. —Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025

Even when things might look bleak, investors with cash on hand can afford to wait it out and not panic. —Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 4 Sep. 2025