afford

verb

ə-ˈfȯrd How to pronounce afford (audio)
Definition of affordnext
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 The Kickstarter page also mentions a 'reduced center of gravity' – likely a typo, and is probably meant to read lower center of gravity – that affords you greater traction, easier turns and balance, better braking. —New Atlas, 11 Apr. 2025 Regardless, mortgaging the future of your franchise on the idea that a particular player might be available the following season is a major risk neither team could afford. —David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025 Previous windows with the U.S. have afforded him only a few training sessions with the full group, but the Argentine will get nearly a month with the USMNT before and during this tournament. —Pablo Maurer, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025 Even California, with one of the largest economies in the world, cannot afford individual assistance grants that shelter and feed its own residents. —Jesse M. Keenan, Scientific American, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for afford

Browse Nearby Words

affluents
afford
affordable
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Cite this Entry

“Afford.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/afford. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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