Thesaurus results for AFFORD

Q: How does the verb 'afford' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of afford are bestow , confer , donate , give , and present . While all these words mean "to convey to another as a possession," afford implies a giving or bestowing usually as a natural or legitimate consequence of the character of the giver. // the trees afford shade // a development that affords us some hope

Q: When is 'bestow' a more appropriate choice than 'afford'?

The words bestow and afford can be used in similar contexts, but bestow implies the conveying of something as a gift and may suggest condescension on the part of the giver. // bestow unwanted advice

Q: When would 'confer' be a good substitute for 'afford'?

In some situations, the words confer and afford are roughly equivalent. However, confer implies a gracious giving (as of a favor or honor). // confer an honorary degree

Q: When can 'donate' be used instead of 'afford'?

The words donate and afford are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, donate is likely to imply a publicized giving (as to charity). // donate a piano to the orphanage

Q: When is it sensible to use 'give' instead of 'afford'?

The meanings of give and afford largely overlap; however, give , the general term, is applicable to any passing over of anything by any means. // give alms // gave her a ride on a pony // give my love to your mother

Q: When might 'present' be a better fit than 'afford'?

Although the words present and afford have much in common, present carries a note of formality and ceremony. // present an award

afford

verb

ə-ˈfȯrd

Definition of afford next

as in to go

to have enough money for we can't afford a new car this year

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb afford contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of afford are bestow, confer, donate, give, and present. While all these words mean "to convey to another as a possession," afford implies a giving or bestowing usually as a natural or legitimate consequence of the character of the giver.

the trees afford shade

a development that affords us some hope

When is bestow a more appropriate choice than afford?

The words bestow and afford can be used in similar contexts, but bestow implies the conveying of something as a gift and may suggest condescension on the part of the giver.

bestow unwanted advice

When would confer be a good substitute for afford?

In some situations, the words confer and afford are roughly equivalent. However, confer implies a gracious giving (as of a favor or honor).

confer an honorary degree

When can donate be used instead of afford?

The words donate and afford are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, donate is likely to imply a publicized giving (as to charity).

donate a piano to the orphanage

When is it sensible to use give instead of afford?

The meanings of give and afford largely overlap; however, give, the general term, is applicable to any passing over of anything by any means.

give alms

gave her a ride on a pony

give my love to your mother

When might present be a better fit than afford?

Although the words present and afford have much in common, present carries a note of formality and ceremony.

present an award

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 afford This opportunity affords them a chance to take part in firefighter training, meetings, and community outreach efforts to integrate them into the fire service. —

Chase Hunter, The Mercury News, 17 Jan. 2025 SpaceX could afford its flippancy on X because the company has always operated with a fly-fast, fail-fast, fly-again metabolism. —

Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 17 Jan. 2025 Given the city’s own financial situation, Johnson can’t afford to do much, if anything, to directly help these tenants and mortgagees. —

Will Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025 Many residents couldn’t afford generators or the fuel to run them and went without air conditioners and refrigerators even as the temperature soared above 90 degrees. —

Sharon Lerner, ProPublica, 17 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for afford