Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

Thesaurus

furnish

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of furnish

1 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 of furnish

accoutre (or accouter), equip, fit (out), gird, outfit, provision, rig, supply
Words Related to furnish

stock, store

bestow, contribute, donate, give, present

apportion, deal (out), dispense, distribute, dole out, hand out, mete (out), parcel (out), portion, prorate

allocate, allot, assign

arm, fortify, prepare
Near Antonyms of furnish

deprive, dispossess, divest, strip
2 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 of furnish

deliver, feed, give, hand, hand over, provide, supply
Words Related to furnish

ply (with)

administer, allocate, apportion, deal (out), dispense, distribute, dole out, mete (out), parcel (out), portion, prorate

assign, cede, deed, make over, transfer
Near Antonyms of furnish

conserve, keep up, maintain, preserve, save
Antonyms of furnish

hold (back), keep (back), reserve, retain, withhold

Synonym Discussion of furnish

furnish, equip, outfit, appoint, accoutre 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
equip suggests the provision of something making for efficiency in action or use.
    • a fully equipped kitchen
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
appoint implies provision of complete and usually elegant or elaborate equipment or furnishings.
    • a lavishly appointed apartment
accoutre suggests the supplying of personal dress or equipment for a special activity.
    • fully accoutred members of a polar expedition

Learn More about furnish

  1. See words that rhyme with furnish Dictionary: Definition of furnish Spanish Central: Translation of furnish Nglish: Translation of furnish for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of furnish for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up furnish? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

slew

play

a large number

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. symbiote 'an organism living in symbiosis'

  2. charlatan 'faker or fraud'

  3. lowlife 'a person of low moral character'

  4. kakistocracy 'government by the worst people'

  5. slimeball 'a morally repulsive or odious person'

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

image278155226
All the Hits

8 obscure words for bodily harm

alt-5adf93a49b0b2
The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

"In point" only lives in this phrase.

alt-5adf5d017e6bf
‘Sleight’ or ‘Slight’ of Hand?

Watch closely and be amazed.

alt-5ade0f1ca7a0c
'Complement' vs. 'Compliment'

The distinction is clear (now).

Ask the Editors

image1760257654
2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

How we chose 'feminism'

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066
Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

video-literally
Literally

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

video-his-or-her
Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

The awkward case of 'his or her'

Word Games

image1926873504
Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Test your knowledge of strange human behaviors.

Take the quiz
cats-on-impossible-timber
More Confusing Words—Quiz

How many of these commonly confused words do you know?

Take the quiz
True or False
True or False?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

Take the quiz
SCRABBLE® Sprint
SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!

Play the game