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

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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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 But her ashes are now inside her daughter’s apartment because the family couldn’t afford the more than $10,000 for a burial. — Shannon Pettypiece, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026 The equipment is expensive, however, and not all schools can afford the caps. — Paul Burton, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026 Prior’s trip amounted to more of a breather than anything else, as the Dodgers could not afford the inning falling apart. — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 So, are invasives ruining the state’s waters, or is the state on the way to becoming the everyman’s Amazon, embraced by the folks who can’t afford the jungle lodge experience? — Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for afford

Recent Examples of Synonyms for afford

Verb

Even near the end of an August in which the Jays went 17-11, the team posted a near-average wRC+ (101 entering Sunday).

— Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
In fact, the breakeven rate of employment growth, or the number of net new jobs needed each month to keep the unemployment rate steady, actually went slightly negative during the summer and fall of 2025.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of go

Verb

Police had initially tried to pull over Shelton's vehicle, a 2006 Honda Civic, near Rodney Parham Road and Mississippi Street, but the vehicle fled through several streets and got away, Little Rock police said in a news release.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Aug. 2026
The service got its name from the original Mechanical Turk, an 18th century chess-playing robot that was actually controlled by a human chess master.

— Annie Palmer, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of get

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affluents

afford

affordable

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“Afford.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/afford. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of afford

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