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

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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 When hearings and meetings at the Commission are scheduled, developers and their lobbyists receive unlimited time to address commissioners directly at every session, and are afforded ample opportunity to woo them into approving substantial alterations or, in some instances, complete demolitions. —

Michael S. Hiller, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2025 But with their livelihoods in limbo, many people can’t afford to wait for a tariff reprieve. —

Ali Martin, Christian Science Monitor, 25 Apr. 2025 That affords the 49ers the opportunity to have stout run/pass defenders on both edges, with Williams also having the versatility to rush inside against a guard if that’s the way defensive coordinator Robert Saleh wants to play it. —

Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2025 No ordinary citizen, and certainly no federal judge, can afford naïveté in the face of this Administration’s lawless behavior. —

Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for afford

Recent Examples of Synonyms for afford

Verb

And then, all of the sudden, the girlfriend’s gone.

— Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Louisiana Louisiana’s law went into effect Jan. 1 requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote, but the state hasn't issued guidance on what documentation residents need.

— Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025

Definition of go

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“Afford.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/afford. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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Last Updated: 29 Apr 2025 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of afford

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

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Cite this Entry

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More from Merriam-Webster

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