appoint

verb

ə-ˈpȯint How to pronounce appoint (audio)
Definition of appointnext
1
as in to set
to decide upon (the time or date for an event) usually from a position of authority at the appointed hour we were in our places

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to nominate
to pick (someone) by one's authority for a specific position or duty was appointed to the council on national security

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb appoint contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of appoint are accoutre, equip, furnish, and outfit. While all these words mean "to supply one with what is needed," appoint implies provision of complete and usually elegant or elaborate equipment or furnishings.

a lavishly appointed apartment

When is it sensible to use accoutre instead of appoint?

While the synonyms accoutre and appoint are close in meaning, accoutre suggests the supplying of personal dress or equipment for a special activity.

fully accoutred members of a polar expedition

In what contexts can equip take the place of appoint?

The words equip and appoint can be used in similar contexts, but equip suggests the provision of something making for efficiency in action or use.

a fully equipped kitchen

When can furnish be used instead of appoint?

While in some cases nearly identical to appoint, furnish implies the provision of any or all essentials for performing a function.

a sparsely furnished apartment

Where would outfit be a reasonable alternative to appoint?

The synonyms outfit and appoint are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

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 appoint Assuming he’s appointed 27th Ward alderman, Walter Burnett III will be in an even better position than his stepbrother. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2025 Brunschwig was also appointed chief strategy officer of OTB. —Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 11 July 2025 The 12-member Guardian Council, half of whom are appointed by Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, approved it the next day. —Nabih Bulos foreign Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2025 When Herve Renard was appointed, the FFF publicly announced the aim was to at least make the semi-finals of the World Cup and Olympics but this time there has been no such proclamation. —Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 5 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for appoint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appoint
  1. set
  2. nominate
  3. choose
  4. assign
  5. designate
  6. constitute
  7. select
  8. pick
Verb
  • Tonight the castle was lit up like a movie set with klieg lights and scores of Cinecittà extras vamping as cardinals.
    — Nicole Phelps, Vogue, 15 July 2025
  • Marie Nino, a professional hairstylist based in New York City, recommends Virtue Flourish’s shampoo and conditioner set for reinforcing strands without leaving them feeling coated or crunchy.
    — Malia Griggs, Glamour, 15 July 2025
Definition of set
Verb
  • Trump had previously nominated former Congress member Dave Weldon from Florida.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 24 July 2025
  • In March, Trump nominated Cole as DEA administrator, pending confirmation in the Senate.
    — A.J. Herrington, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
Definition of nominate
Verb
  • Southwest passengers now have to choose between four different price tiers of tickets when booking a flight: Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred, Choice Extra.
    — Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 23 July 2025
  • It’s thought that this larger group will be whittled down to around 15 companies who will be invited into a 15-minute pitch meeting, where a winner will either be declared or a handful of companies will be chosen to develop their ideas further.
    — Peter White, Deadline, 22 July 2025
Definition of choose
Verb
  • Futures market data shows that investors now assign a 93.3% probability that the Fed will keep rates unchanged at its July meeting.
    — , CNBC, 14 July 2025
  • Registration ensures everyone is accounted for, prevents duplication of efforts and allows coordinators to assign tasks efficiently, Mckell said.
    — Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 13 July 2025
Definition of assign
Verb
  • Prior to Saturday’s game against the Braves, the Yankees designated Rico Garcia for assignment and promoted Allan Winans.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 19 July 2025
  • Abbott has designated bills dealing with early warning systems and emergency communications as priorities for the Legislature’s special session, scheduled to last 30 days.
    — John Hanna, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2025
Definition of designate
Verb
  • And if brutally detaining overwhelmingly peaceful gardeners, farmhands, and construction workers who came to America to build a life constitutes an emergency, what doesn’t?
    — Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 13 July 2025
  • Nothing provided on this site constitutes tax advice.
    — Andrew Rosen, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Definition of constitute
Verb
  • After a fantastic third season at LSU, Nabers was selected sixth overall by the Giants.
    — Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
  • Gill recalls getting selected during a ceremony at the train station at Disneyland Park.
    — Megan duBois, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
Definition of select
Verb
  • This was as strong a team as Moyes could feasibly pick from those available, yet the 1-0 defeat again highlighted a lack of quality and depth.
    — Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 21 July 2025
  • White pillar candles are a stylist's best friend, and Joyner will pick hers up while strolling through Sam's Club.
    — Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 20 July 2025
Definition of pick

Browse Nearby Words

apply (to)
appoint
appointed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Appoint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appoint. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of appoint for Spanish Speakers

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