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 Monty Baugh and Stacie Brown were appointed to the board the following year. Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2025 Advertisement These interests coalesced around the person of Franz von Papen, who was appointed Chancellor in June 1932. Time, 23 Oct. 2025 The state appoints a board of managers to oversee finances, academics and leadership until the district shows enough progress for local control to return. Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2025 On Tuesday, the City Council appointed Mayor Pro Tem Cody Bass to serve as mayor until December. Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for appoint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appoint
Verb
  • Alker set the front-nine and back-nine records last year with a pair of matching 31s for a tournament record 62 in the first round.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Neither has given an indication of leaving the team or the sport, and most of next year’s F1 grid is set.
    Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The firm has been named Best Investor in Europe and was nominated for Investor of the Year for two consecutive years at the 2024 and 2025 MENA Games Industry Awards.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
  • She was nominated for two Emmys, including Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Series for her performance in Lassie.
    Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Blue Jays chose Yesavage in the first round of last year’s draft out of East Carolina University.
    Andy McCullough, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • During his free agency ahead of the 2024 season, Ohtani visited Toronto as one of his finalists but ultimately chose to stay in Southern California and play for the Dodgers.
    Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Pima Critical Incident Team was activated after the incident with the Oro Valley Police Department assigned to lead the investigation, Adger said.
    Julie Mendes, AZCentral.com, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Budj Bim assigned the weeping she-oak (Casuarina) trees, whose whispering voices can be heard in the wind, to be the guardian spirits of the landscape.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The State Department does have the authority, however, to designate foreign terrorist groups, a move that has real legal teeth.
    Ryan Lucas, NPR, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Gates noted that aid designated for poor countries—already less than 1% of rich countries’ budgets at its peak—is declining as wealthy nations cut foreign assistance.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • These statements do not constitute and cannot replace investment advice.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Impact Aid constitutes about 40% of the district’s annual budget and helps pay for curriculum, teacher salaries and other student resources.
    Kayla Huynh, jsonline.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Bearzot didn’t select a replacement for Antognoni, instead playing both Gentile and Bergomi and switching to a system featuring five defenders in front of 40-year-old goalkeeper Dino Zoff, the side’s captain.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
  • However, selecting an optimal material for the transducer has proven difficult, as different candidates vary widely in electrical performance, surface characteristics, and long-term stability.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Choose your adventure and pick three or pick six from activities not included with admission like apple blasters, paint ball, bungee trampoline, rock wall, mechanical bull, fountain drink, fudge, snow cone, animal feed and cookies.
    Katie Nixon, Nashville Tennessean, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Imagine being able to pick fresh oranges right outside your back door, or even better right inside your kitchen.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Appoint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appoint. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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