Definition of furnishnext

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

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 furnish Hinting at a mysterious event, three Secret bags — in maxi, regular and mini — were casually left in the grand space, furnished with pieces from some of the 20th century’s great designers. — Katie Abel, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026 If not, state or county election officials may require these suspect voters to furnish proof of their citizenship. — Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026 The three-bedroom condo is the only residence at One Palace Green to have been fully furnished by Martin Kemp Design. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2026 None of these extensions are more than a short walk away from the Manor House (the walks alone bring great pleasure), and all of them are thoughtfully furnished. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for furnish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for furnish
Verb
  • Eco effort Already the resort is single-use plastic free, and sliding glass doors are equipped with sensors that click off the AC when open.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Give them the economics, the reasoning beneath the numbers, and partner with organizations like Economics Arkansas, which has equipped our teachers to do exactly that since 1962.
    — Michael Poore Special to the Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 1 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The bill would provide $700 million toward microgrid development.
    — Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Wind speeds generally increase with altitude, while higher elevations can also provide more consistent wind conditions.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Some companies supplying the AI boom are already making money, Hayes said, pointing to memory chipmakers and Nvidia.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Bathrooms have marble floors and walls of an almost pure-white Dolomite stone, with rain showers and separate tubs supplied with Natura Bissé products in rosemary and white tea scents.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Its winner, whether filmmaker or rights holder, will give the platform an exclusive license to show the film for a limited period.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Intense sound effects—such as the exceptionally long reverberation and echoes inside the Blue Demon tomb—gave a dramatic soundtrack to this intense, immersive experience.
    — Jacqueline Ortoleva, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Furnish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/furnish. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster