Synonym Chooser

How does the verb appoint contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of appoint are accoutre, equip, furnish, and outfit. While all these words mean "to supply one with what is needed," appoint implies provision of complete and usually elegant or elaborate equipment or furnishings.

a lavishly appointed apartment

When is it sensible to use accoutre instead of appoint?

While the synonyms accoutre and appoint are close in meaning, accoutre suggests the supplying of personal dress or equipment for a special activity.

fully accoutred members of a polar expedition

In what contexts can equip take the place of appoint?

The words equip and appoint can be used in similar contexts, but equip suggests the provision of something making for efficiency in action or use.

a fully equipped kitchen

When can furnish be used instead of appoint?

While in some cases nearly identical to appoint, furnish implies the provision of any or all essentials for performing a function.

a sparsely furnished apartment

Where would outfit be a reasonable alternative to appoint?

The synonyms outfit and appoint are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 appoint World Bank Group appointed Lauren Tilstra as director of communications and content; Roya Rahmani as director of global engagement; and Edith Jibunoh as director of external affairs. Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 29 May 2025 And just this week, on Monday, Trump announced a pardon for Scott Jenkins, a former Virginia sheriff who was found guilty of accepting over $75,000 in bribes in exchange for appointing multiple businessmen as auxiliary deputy sheriffs in his Culpeper County department. Rachel Treisman, NPR, 28 May 2025 As the president considers the potential appointment of a new Arctic Ambassador, just as Greenland has appointed theirs, the prospect for diplomacy around extractive industries in the region deserves greater attention. Saleem H. Ali, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025 During the last hunt, I was appointed the bear coordinator for the Heathrow community. Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for appoint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appoint
Verb
  • An exact premiere date has not yet been set, but CIA will air Mondays at 10 pm, leading out of the FBI mothership.
    Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 9 June 2025
  • Bidault not only relies on outside perspective, but worked to establish a bond with the artist that set the film on track to uncover his peculiar fascinations and obsessions.
    Holly Jones, Variety, 9 June 2025
Verb
  • In Emmy history, 33 actors — 22 men and 11 women — have been posthumously nominated.
    Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
  • During his run on the soap, Jackson was nominated for nine Daytime Emmy Awards, winning in 1995, 1998, 1999, 2011, and 2012.
    Mekishana Pierre Published, EW.com, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • There are so many reasons why a player may choose to play in a particular location, for a particular team, for a particular coach that have nothing to do with the tax situation in that market.
    Pierre LeBrun, New York Times, 5 June 2025
  • Keene Housing is among those that have chosen to drop their time limits.
    Jennifer Ludden, NPR, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • Deputy Prosecutors Tim Brown and Lindsey Lanham were assigned.
    Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 31 May 2025
  • When fully staffed, a forecast office typically assigns rotating shifts to 12 or 15 operational workers in order to cover a complete 24-hour schedule.
    Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 31 May 2025
Verb
  • In spite of its phonetics, apparently the term is not Yiddish, but a neologism declared by a French writer of comedic phantasms to be German and intended to designate an absurd, unfathomable object that can serve all kinds of purposes.
    Benjamin H. D. Buchloh, Artforum, 1 June 2025
  • Right Now Each committee designates a rapporteur to lead the drafting.
    Jon McGowan, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Verb
  • As such, the attack on Mariupol Maternity Ward No.3 constitutes an indiscriminate attack, a violation of international humanitarian law and a war crime.
    Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
  • Get Comfortable With the Uncomfortable Those honest talks constitute a tall challenge for many parents, especially those who didn’t have that openness modeled for them as kids.
    Christian Dashiell, Parents, 7 June 2025
Verb
  • Joseph was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft and played for the team until 2022, according to the NFL.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 June 2025
  • Boeing Starliner launches from Florida on crewed test As the two astronauts selected for the Starliner's first crewed flight test, Wilmore and Williams launched June 5, 2024, on a mission to test a vehicle intended to one day join the SpaceX Dragon in transporting NASA astronauts to orbit.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • The Bears lacked a veteran presence at quarterback last season during a crucial time when No. 1 draft pick Caleb Williams could’ve used an experienced teammate to lean on.
    Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2025
  • Speaking of the color-correcting actives, users can customize their tan to counteract skin concerns—just pick based on the bottle color.
    Jenny Berg, Vogue, 2 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Appoint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appoint. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.

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