Definition of furnishnext

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 Paperboard is the natural first home, the largest segment of the packaging market and among its fastest growing, where blends of 5-10 percent work in commercial furnishes today and a specification change would enable up to 30 percent. — Kari Stoever, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2026 Of course, Bille Brahe furnished her boutiques with intention. — Angela Tafoya, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2026 All have furnished balconies or terraces and floor-to-ceiling windows, that have views of the ocean, the pools, the golf courses, or the Aventura skyline. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Nov. 2026 The contract explained that IFG’s role was to furnish a referral to a medical clinic for the treatment of fertility and provide support services coordinating those treatments. — Megan Molteni, STAT, 2 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for furnish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for furnish
Verb
  • Lee said the property is equipped for heavy machinery and has six loading docks and office space.
    — Courtney Bell, Baltimore Sun, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Each spacecraft is about the size of two refrigerators and equipped with three scientific instruments and a couple cameras.
    — Meghan Bartels, Space.com, 10 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • The reported 5% net energy saving accounts for that additional energy demand, although the institute has not provided a detailed breakdown of the trial results.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 9 Nov. 2026
  • In a world where chatbots and agents easily answer most generic questions for free, the value of news organizations seeking payment from readers could be to provide a perspective that audiences know has been verified by a human being.
    — Max Tani, semafor.com, 9 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • The seven-year alliance focuses on supplying critical lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathodes and synthetic graphite anodes to meet surging demand for affordable EVs and data center energy storage systems.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Built in the 1860s to supply water to the nearby Lambeth Workhouse, where Charlie Chaplin lived with his mother when the family fell into poverty, this former piece of civic infrastructure has since taken on a very different purpose.
    — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 10 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Joji Waites, director of flight safety, policy and regulation at the British Air Line Pilots Association, said airline assessors grade a threat as red, amber or green, but that an amber verdict would never be given if the plane is airborne.
    — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Wiles gave Trump her resignation Thursday night, a person familiar with the events told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity to describe the private conversation.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Furnish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/furnish. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

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