gift 1 of 2

Definition of giftnext

gift

2 of 2

verb

as in to bless
to furnish freely or naturally with some power, quality, or attribute gifted with an uncanny ability to persuade people to do things they ordinarily wouldn't

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun gift differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of gift are aptitude, bent, faculty, genius, knack, and talent. While all these words mean "a special ability for doing something," gift often implies special favor by God or nature.

the gift of singing beautifully

When can aptitude be used instead of gift?

The words aptitude and gift can be used in similar contexts, but aptitude implies a natural liking for some activity and the likelihood of success in it.

a mechanical aptitude

How do bent and aptitude relate to one another, in the sense of gift?

Bent is nearly equal to aptitude but it stresses inclination perhaps more than specific ability.

a family with an artistic bent

Where would faculty be a reasonable alternative to gift?

In some situations, the words faculty and gift are roughly equivalent. However, faculty applies to an innate or less often acquired ability for a particular accomplishment or function.

a faculty for remembering names

When could genius be used to replace gift?

The meanings of genius and gift largely overlap; however, genius suggests impressive inborn creative ability.

has no great genius for poetry

When would knack be a good substitute for gift?

Although the words knack and gift have much in common, knack implies a comparatively minor but special ability making for ease and dexterity in performance.

the knack of getting along

In what contexts can talent take the place of gift?

The synonyms talent and gift are sometimes interchangeable, but talent suggests a marked natural ability that needs to be developed.

has enough talent to succeed

How does the noun gift differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of gift are aptitude, bent, faculty, genius, knack, and talent. While all these words mean "a special ability for doing something," gift often implies special favor by God or nature.

the gift of singing beautifully

When can aptitude be used instead of gift?

The words aptitude and gift can be used in similar contexts, but aptitude implies a natural liking for some activity and the likelihood of success in it.

a mechanical aptitude

How do bent and aptitude relate to one another, in the sense of gift?

Bent is nearly equal to aptitude but it stresses inclination perhaps more than specific ability.

a family with an artistic bent

Where would faculty be a reasonable alternative to gift?

In some situations, the words faculty and gift are roughly equivalent. However, faculty applies to an innate or less often acquired ability for a particular accomplishment or function.

a faculty for remembering names

When could genius be used to replace gift?

The meanings of genius and gift largely overlap; however, genius suggests impressive inborn creative ability.

has no great genius for poetry

When would knack be a good substitute for gift?

Although the words knack and gift have much in common, knack implies a comparatively minor but special ability making for ease and dexterity in performance.

the knack of getting along

In what contexts can talent take the place of gift?

The synonyms talent and gift are sometimes interchangeable, but talent suggests a marked natural ability that needs to be developed.

has enough talent to succeed

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 gift
Noun
Passover gifts for Jewish friends If you're invited to a Passover Seder or just want to give something to a Jewish friend to celebrate the holiday, websites like the Kitchn and Gift Kosher have plenty of suggestions. Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 31 Mar. 2026 These days, balancing the press with writing is honestly a gift. Literary Hub, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
Another high-profile error from Marseille defender Leonardo Balerdi gifted Lille a 49th-minute equalizer. ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026 Once married, Prince Harry gifted the watch to Meghan, who regularly adds it to her looks as a low-key, sweet nod to Diana. Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gift
Noun
  • Meanwhile, employees at both DFW Airport and Love Field are collecting donations – including nonperishable food, hygiene items, baby supplies, and gas or grocery gift cards – to further support federal aviation workers affected by the shutdown.
    Lauren Crawford, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
  • The donation comes as the Department of Homeland Security shutdown continues with no end in sight, leaving more than 64,000 airport security workers working without pay.
    Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Some programs have built their identity on hard coaching or amassing the most talent possible, and while Campbell isn’t soft on his players, he’s opted to create a culture of joy that’s led to TCU signing Van Lith and Miles.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Mar. 2026
  • But fans online have panned the card for lacking top talent such as former two-division champion Jon Jones, who requested his release from the UFC immediately after being excluded from the White House show.
    Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Your 5th House of Theatricality is blessed by today’s conjunction between the Sun and Saturn, empowering play into something that can build useful skills.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Hegseth often goes beyond standard calls for God to bless the country or its troops.
    Tiffany Stanley, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • At present, as America's military aggression and assault continue with full force, all our efforts and resources are devoted to defending Iran's very existence.
    Lucia I Suarez Sang, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026
  • All 112 members of parliament present voted to approve the legislation, which marks Cambodia’s first legal framework specifically aimed at a lucrative, illicit industry that has transformed the country into a global hub for cybercrime.
    ABC News, ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • But a couple of Runoff’s standout tracks blend her personal experience with literary sources, and Ortiz has a knack for drawing these fantastical inspirations back down to earth.
    Marissa Lorusso, Pitchfork, 24 Mar. 2026
  • California’s Growing Adoption This state has a unique knack for emerging technologies and has shown a significant willingness to explore new financial tools.
    Wyles Daniel, Sacbee.com, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The winner will receive £30,000, anonymously endowed, along with a statuette known as the ‘Bessie’, created and donated by the late artist Grizel Niven.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Mar. 2026
  • As public funding for higher education has eroded, universities have increasingly turned to wealthy donors to underwrite major projects and supplement budgets by endowing professorships and research centers.
    Yana van der Meulen Rodgers, The Conversation, 27 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The records include emails, internal presentations and other company documents used as exhibits in litigation, as well as court transcripts and witness testimony from depositions.
    David Hilzenrath, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026
  • While Neural Concept and Tata Consultancy Services offered computer presentations, Tensor’s peek into the automotive future was displayed off-site with several other AI-using and varying autonomous level cars and trucks.
    James Raia, Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Flutie played beyond his physical abilities partly because of his aptitude.
    Dan Pompei, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
  • What Godoy does have a great aptitude for, however, is video games.
    Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Gift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gift. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.

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