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 After renovating and furnishing it, the couple formerly known as Brangelina celebrated their wedding at Château Miraval in August 2014. Cathy Tran, Vanity Fair, 7 May 2026 In July, home furnishing brand Arhaus will relocate and expand into a standalone showroom at The Village at SouthPark, between Michael Kors and Coach. Charlotte Observer, 7 May 2026 The cost includes furnishing, delivering and installing the seats. Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 7 May 2026 At nearby Spa Walden, one of our favorite Midwest wellness destinations, guests settle into private treatment suites furnished with massage tubs, steam rooms, and Vichy showers. Erika Ebsworth-Goold, Midwest Living, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for furnish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for furnish
Verb
  • In the unit, which is equipped like an intensive care unit, patients can range from well and stable to critically ill.
    Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 11 May 2026
  • This is the part of modern pop stardom that Larsson is perhaps uniquely equipped for.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2026
Verb
  • The full closure is required to safely accommodate heavy equipment operations, provide adequate workspace for crews, and protect motorists.
    Irene Wright, USA Today, 9 May 2026
  • Some are backing away from exclusionary discipline like suspensions and expulsions and have embraced schoolwide approaches that reward positive behavior and provide social skills practice through games and role-playing.
    Stacker, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2026
Verb
  • Solar panels supply much of the resort’s energy, and chef gardens produce some of the menu ingredients.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 May 2026
  • Much of that flood of hyperscaler dollars will flow to chipmakers that supply data centers with computing capacity.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 10 May 2026
Verb
  • Trump demonizes immigrants and has launched a sweeping mass-deportation campaign that was cheered by the far right across Europe; Sánchez resists such nativism, and his government is in the midst of a program to give legal status to some half a million undocumented migrants living in Spain.
    Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 13 May 2026
  • Two losses in last month’s three league matches gave the impression of momentum slipping, and even if performances improved towards the end of April, something different was needed to shift the energy towards the club.
    Art de Roché, New York Times, 13 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Furnish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/furnish. Accessed 15 May. 2026.

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