Synonyms of furnish

furnish

verb

ˈfər-nish 

1

as in to equip

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 & Similar Words

• equip
• supply
• prepare
• provision
• gird
• outfit
• rig
• present
• fit (out)
• accouter
• accoutre
• contribute
• kit (up or out)
• fortify
• distribute
• dispense
• donate
• bestow
• store
• portion
• apportion
• deal (out)
• stock
• give
• allocate
• assign
• allot
• arm
• prorate
• hand out
• dole out
• parcel (out)
• mete (out)
• refurnish
• refit
• reequip
• reoutfit

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deprive
• strip
• divest
• dispossess

2

as in to provide

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 & Similar Words

• provide
• give
• supply
• hand
• deliver
• feed
• distribute
• hand over
• dispense
• portion
• administer
• allocate
• deal (out)
• apportion
• assign
• ply (with)
• cede
• transfer
• prorate
• deed
• dole out
• parcel (out)
• mete (out)
• make over

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hold (back)
• keep (back)
• retain
• maintain
• preserve
• withhold
• save
• reserve
• conserve
• keep up

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

Recent Examples of furnish

Upstairs there are three bedrooms and three bathrooms, each furnished with traditional textiles and simple furniture. —Roxana Popescu, New York Times, 16 May 2025

Other stairs lead to a warren of small, dim rooms furnished with chairs and tables discarded by people who’d lived with them too long — the springs are shot, the upholstery tattered. —Amy Virshup, Vulture, 14 May 2025

But Beck had barely furnished his office when Rice burst in on him that summer. —Paul Solotaroff, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2025

This is simply furnished with just a chair and a desk area that presumably serves as a home office, though there is space in there for more seating too. —Adam Williams may 07, New Atlas, 7 May 2025