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 Peacock served on the council from 2007-2011 and again in 2025 when the council appointed him to finish the remainder of Tariq Bokhari’s term. Charlotte Observer, 7 Nov. 2025 Putin on November 4 signed a decree, appointing a more junior official, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Maxim Oreshkin, to head up the delegation. Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025 Brown is a friend of the Bush family and Jeb Bush appointed him as Central Florida finance chairman during his successful 1998 gubernatorial campaign. Deena Sabry, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025 Both professors say it’s expected for most individuals appointed to leadership positions by the commissioner to be on similar pages since their job is executing the commissioner’s vision for state intervention. Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for appoint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appoint
Verb
  • No more having to wait for the preheat temperature or worrying about forgetting to set it.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Artistic director Eddine Noël did much of the research into the time period and the environment of the Kansai region in which the film is set, and built a replica of the house featured in the novel, and the team designed the house with Western furniture to represent the cultural fusion.
    Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Stefánsson’s novels have been nominated three times for the Nordic Council Prize for Literature, and his novel Summer Light, and Then Comes the Night received the Icelandic Prize for Literature in 2005.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Now, both Warren and Rae are nominated as Best New Artists at the Grammy Awards.
    Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Last week, four Republic of Ireland internationals playing in the Women’s Super League in England, Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Caitlin Hayes (Brighton & Hove Albion), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace) and Hayley Nolan (London City Lionesses), chose not to have the poppy on their team shirts.
    Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 8 Nov. 2025
  • The Dolphins chose not to spend the money (or match or surpass other teams’ offers) on several solid contributors after their rookie contracts ended.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Certainly there are some high schools that are still assigning and engaging with The Great Gatsby in full.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The Ratings Board watches every movie in its entirety and assigns it a rating and descriptor that aligns with the views of the majority of American parents.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The trade comes after Black was designated for assignment last week.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 11 Nov. 2025
  • Gatica has remained an ICE fugitive since that ruling, officials said, living in California, which designates itself a sanctuary state.
    Greg Wehner , Bill Melugin, FOXNews.com, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • These statements do not constitute and cannot replace investment advice.
    Nia Bowers, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Its justification is that the painting’s imagery and its inclusion in a state museum could constitute a violation of the Fair Campaign Practices Act, which prohibits government institutions like History Colorado Center from making contributions to a candidate running for office.
    John Wenzel, Denver Post, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • When camping in an open environment, select a campsite in a valley, ravine, or low region.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 10 Nov. 2025
  • In the 2022 draft, the Dolphins took inside linebacker Channing Tindall at 102, one spot before Kansas City selected inside linebacker Leo Chanel at 103.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 9 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • With two straight victories after a 1-5 start, the Ravens have picked themselves off the mat and are threatening to get back in the playoff mix.
    Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2025
  • The Seahawks, who sent two mid-round draft picks to the Saints, may see Shaheed as similar to Percy Harvin.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Appoint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appoint. Accessed 22 Nov. 2025.

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