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
One of the gifts the delegation presented to the pope was a plaque with a photo of his boyhood home in Dolton. Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026 The Albert School of Construction will be named for UNC Charlotte alumni Craig and Darla Albert, who gave the lead gift for the new school’s founding. Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 7 Apr. 2026
Verb
Baty scored easily, and right fielder Jung Hoo Lee’s throw skipped to the back stop, gifting Taylor a free base. Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2026 Miami trailed 1-0 fast, in the sixth minute, when the defense left Guilherme Biro unmarked for a downward header off a corner kick, gifting Biro the forever-history of the first goal in the new stadium. Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gift
Noun
  • Those supporting the family were seeking $55,000 in donations to pay for funeral costs, as well as medical and everyday bills.
    Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Reframe the purpose of your family's donation pile.
    Andee Tagle, NPR, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Some say that the quantity of productions required by streaming services has diluted the talent pool of crews.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
  • When their cultural impact coalesced with a massive talent infusion through the transfer portal, the Bruins captured their first championship in the NCAA era by routing South Carolina 79-51 on Sunday.
    Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The families hollered in celebration and got an extra moment for photos once the popemobile stopped so Leo could bless a couple of babies.
    CBS News, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
  • We were blessed to have a writers’ room that could generate 20 to 25 movie ideas.
    James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Yet, neither the nostalgia nor the whimsy present makes this revival feel worthwhile.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 9 Apr. 2026
  • This set-it-and-forget-it gift is the Mother’s Day present that keeps on giving.
    Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Misa is a beautiful skater with some quiet explosiveness and a real knack for weaving, cutting, turning and spinning in control of the puck to either shake defenders under pressure in the offensive or defensive zone or slip past them in transition with his speed and agility.
    Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
  • The bottom line is that Gase didn’t want to coach Jackson because his style, his knack for scrambling, the belief that the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback wasn’t a traditional pocket passer, meant Gase would have to alter his offense.
    Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Through flashbacks and leaps ahead in time, fragmentation and fantasy scenes, the film simulates complexity while endowing its characters with mere crumbs of knowledge and experience.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2026
  • Tommy Caldwell appears to be endowed with this quirk of courage.
    Namir Khaliq, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Its founder and one-man operator, Jack Kavanagh, is trusted for his unvarnished, unbiased presentation.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026
  • As Elder noted in his presentation, the forechecker who creates the original turnover often never touches the puck and therefore never gets any credit in a traditional box score.
    Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The Rangers have shown greater aptitude against four-seamers in this six-game sample size to begin the season.
    Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Flutie played beyond his physical abilities partly because of his aptitude.
    Dan Pompei, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gift. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.

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