Synonyms of furnish

furnish

verb

ˈfər-nish 

1

as in to equip

to provide (someone) with what is needed for a task or activity

the art students were furnished with brushes, crayons, pencils, and various other art supplies

Synonyms & Similar Words

• equip
• supply
• prepare
• provision
• gird
• outfit
• rig
• present
• fit (out)
• accouter
• accoutre
• contribute
• kit (up or out)
• fortify
• distribute
• dispense
• donate
• bestow
• store
• portion
• apportion
• deal (out)
• stock
• give
• allocate
• assign
• allot
• arm
• prorate
• hand out
• dole out
• parcel (out)
• mete (out)
• refurnish
• refit
• reequip
• reoutfit

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deprive
• strip
• divest
• dispossess

2

as in to provide

to put (something) into the possession of someone for use or consumption

we'll gladly furnish the food for any out-of-town guests

Synonyms & Similar Words

• provide
• give
• supply
• hand
• deliver
• feed
• distribute
• hand over
• dispense
• portion
• administer
• allocate
• deal (out)
• apportion
• assign
• ply (with)
• cede
• transfer
• prorate
• deed
• dole out
• parcel (out)
• mete (out)
• make over

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hold (back)
• keep (back)
• retain
• maintain
• preserve
• withhold
• save
• reserve
• conserve
• keep up

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

Recent Examples of furnish

Ethan Kirkwood, of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, was charged with two counts of furnishing alcohol to someone under 21. —Dennis Romero, NBC news, 21 May 2025

Each home is around 400 square feet, comes furnished, and will have one bedroom, a bathroom and a front porch. —Karri Peifer, Axios, 16 May 2025

Friendly Quebecois furnished the soldiers with lodging and oxen, though whether this hospitality was the result of opportunism, genuine support for the invasion or fear of the armed men is unclear. —Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 May 2025

Audo House opened in 2019 in Copenhagen’s Nordhavn district as the flagship home of luxury Danish brand Audo Copenhagen, and the rooms are furnished in a classic Scandinavian style with the brand’s furniture, lighting, and accessories. —Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025