present 1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈpre-zᵊnt How to pronounce present (audio)
Definition of presentnext
as in gift
something given to someone without expectation of a return an impressive array of presents for the bride and groom

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

present

2 of 4

noun (2)

ˈpre-zᵊnt How to pronounce present (audio)
as in today
the time currently existing or in progress I cannot talk to you at present, but perhaps in a few minutes

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

present

3 of 4

adjective

ˈpre-zᵊnt How to pronounce present (audio)
1
as in current
existing or in progress right now I am very busy at the present moment

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2
as in attending
being within the confines of a specified place all of you are required to be present for every meeting

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present

4 of 4

verb

pri-ˈzent How to pronounce present (audio)
1
as in to offer
to bring before the public in performance or exhibition we will present a performance of Our Town tomorrow evening

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2
as in to introduce
to make (one person) known (to another) socially may I present my niece Sarah?

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3
as in to donate
to make a present of the company presented a gold watch to him on the occasion of his retirement

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb present contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of present are afford, bestow, confer, donate, and give. While all these words mean "to convey to another as a possession," present carries a note of formality and ceremony.

present an award

In what contexts can afford take the place of present?

The words afford and present are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 might bestow be a better fit than present?

While in some cases nearly identical to present, bestow implies the conveying of something as a gift and may suggest condescension on the part of the giver.

bestow unwanted advice

When is it sensible to use confer instead of present?

In some situations, the words confer and present are roughly equivalent. However, confer implies a gracious giving (as of a favor or honor).

confer an honorary degree

Where would donate be a reasonable alternative to present?

The synonyms donate and present are sometimes interchangeable, but donate is likely to imply a publicized giving (as to charity).

donate a piano to the orphanage

When could give be used to replace present?

While the synonyms give and present are close in meaning, 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

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 present
Noun
But now reports indicate that Bezos is going the extra mile to get his new wife a wedding present. —Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 7 July 2025 Lamm theorizes that computers and AI simulation would play a huge role in bringing a species like dinosaurs into our present. —Katie Grant, Parents, 3 July 2025
Adjective
Interestingly, those same factors are present in golf. —Tim Corlett, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025 Some of the companies mentioned in this column are past or present clients of the authors’ employers. —François Candelon, Fortune, 11 July 2025
Verb
The jury was presented evidence for nearly two weeks, during which about two dozen witnesses testified. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 11 July 2025 The latter presents the firm with more advertising opportunities, too. —Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for present
Recent Examples of Synonyms for present
  1. current
  2. offer
  3. introduce
  4. donate
  5. ongoing
  6. available
  7. give
  8. volunteer
Adjective
  • Here’s how Wheeler has fared against current Padres in the regular season: The 35-year-old veteran threw 41 of his 63 pitches for strikes in Monday’s season debut, allowing two runs on three hits and three walks in 3⅔ innings in a loss.
    — Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2025
  • In its current form, the restaurant offers a five-course tasting menu for the rough equivalent of $82 with the option of an even more affordable three-course meal for about $59.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2025
Definition of current
Verb
  • Disaster response offers survivors a chance to find meaning in their hardships, to turn their personal losses into collective relief.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 11 July 2025
  • The country has more than 800 miles of coastline and 300 beaches, divided between its Pacific and Caribbean sides, with something to offer any coast-loving traveler.
    — AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 11 July 2025
Definition of offer
Verb
  • Other elements and locations featured in the Phoenix episode include the iconic lowrider culture — an emblematic piece of Chicano identity, which will be introduced in the series through a car show at El Reposo Park showcasing the Sophisticated Few Car Club.
    — Paula Soria, AZCentral.com, 13 July 2025
  • The possibility of ostomy surgery was introduced later, after exhausting all other treatment options.
    — Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 13 July 2025
Definition of introduce
Verb
  • Matthew Suarez, the CBP’s acting director of field operations in Baltimore, urged the public to donate money or time to animal shelters in a post on social media platform X.
    — Mike Snider, USA Today, 13 July 2025
  • The report highlights that to date, the Certified B-Corp company has donated 1,500,000 trees and reforested nine million square meters.
    — Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
Definition of donate
Adjective
  • The jury was shown transcripts of angry emails and text messages between Serafini and his wife’s parents showing a heated, ongoing dispute over a $1.3 million loan from his in-laws to help fund his wife’s fledgling horse ranch business.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2025
  • At the same time, rising tariffs and ongoing trade disruptions have made cattle production more costly.
    — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2025
Definition of ongoing
Adjective
  • In a time when the suffering and seemingly hopeless prospects of America’s poor are known to all who have eyes to see, the only fig leaf available to hide the obscenity of this bill is the old partisan charge of waste, fraud and abuse.
    — Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025
  • Some may have once been given false hope about whether housing was available.
    — Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2025
Definition of available
Verb
  • Like the 50 other judges fired within the last six months, the union said, the judges who received the most recent notices were not given a reason for the terminations.
    — Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 14 July 2025
  • April 8, 2025 ICE has been given access to taxpayer information to help identify and target immigrants for deportation.
    — Larry David, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
Definition of give
Verb
  • The public can volunteer on any or all of the days.
    — Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2025
  • The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll.
    — Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 7 July 2025
Definition of volunteer

Phrases Containing present

Browse Nearby Words

presences
present
presentable
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Cite this Entry

“Present.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/present. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on present

Nglish: Translation of present for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about present

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