Synonyms of afford

afford

verb

ə-ˈfȯrd 

as in to go

to have enough money for

we can't afford a new car this year

Synonyms & Similar Words

• go
• get
• swing
• purchase
• obtain
• take
• procure
• offer
• acquire
• pay (for)
• finance
• expend
• cover
• secure
• subsidize
• underwrite
• outlay
• bid
• spring (for)
• pick up
• pony up
• endow
• bankroll

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

Recent Examples of afford

Minnesota cannot afford to lose games on special teams, so betting on Price would be bold. —Alec Lewis, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2025

Again, the past echoes: not so long before Israel’s establishment, under the Ottoman Empire, the area that was to become Mandatory Palestine was governed by a patchwork of regulations that afforded a sliding scale of rights to Muslims, Jews, and Christians. —Hussein Agha, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025

The solar transition further sped up in 2024, as the price of Chinese solar panels dropped even more, flooding the market with technology that many Pakistanis couldn't previously afford. —Betsy Joles, NPR, 21 Aug. 2025

For nearly four years, Bartlett ran her business out of the bus, traveling across Florida to different outdoor markets and even living on it, using the flexibility that the vehicle afforded her to connect with clients across the state. —Tabitha Parent, People.com, 21 Aug. 2025