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

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
The same is true of Shannon’s gift for eviscerating quips and Feimster’s talent for proudly shouting inappropriate things, both on full display. Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2026 The gift represents more than a 3 percent increase in the size of the museum’s holdings, which currently number in the region of 10,000 objects. Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 16 July 2026
Verb
The Padres were gifted two runs in the first inning when Yesavage could hardly throw a strike. Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2026 Blarney Castle is, of course, home to the legendary Blarney Stone—a block of limestone built into the castle that’s said to gift eloquence and persuasiveness to whoever kisses it. Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 12 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for gift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gift
Noun
  • This week, the Center for Biological Diversity, the Miami Pine Rocklands Association, the South Florida Wildlands Association and the Tropical Audubon Society announced a $925,000 donation to Miami-Dade County to acquire more pineland.
    Jenny Staletovich, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026
  • Then there’s Sánchez Bezos, who has moved to the forefront of the couple’s philanthropic efforts, effectively steering a multibillion-dollar philanthropy while making other sizable donations to issues that matter to her.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 14 July 2026
Noun
  • Adidas reportedly spent $67 million on its hero film, Backyard Legends, while Nike also splashed heavily on talent — Kim Kardashian, Kylian Mbappé, Central Cee, and LeBron James, among others — for its competing short, Rip the Script.
    Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 16 July 2026
  • The coaching staff thought the talent the team inherited, with the addition of a few bargain signings, was better than the numbers showed.
    Danielle Allentuck, Washington Post, 16 July 2026
Verb
  • Penned in partnership with Vallicelli Design studio, the newcomer is blessed with Pershing’s sporty DNA, combining a clean, contemporary silhouette with impressive performance specs.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 10 July 2026
  • Paramount’s statement on Wednesday noted that regulators in numerous countries have already blessed the WBD deal.
    Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 9 July 2026
Noun
  • The invisible present befuddles each generation in every age.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 July 2026
  • The new jet in question, a present from Qatar that the administration spent $400 million to retrofit and upgrade, entered service last week.
    ABC News, ABC News, 14 July 2026
Noun
  • This will help create more space for decor or other knick-knacks around your home and will give you peace of mind for having all of your mail in one place.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, The Spruce, 10 July 2026
  • The Arsenal man has a knack for scoring late goals and he’s done so again here, capitalising on the chance presented to him when Lammens let Pau Cubarsi’s shot slip from his grip.
    Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 10 July 2026
Verb
  • Official liberalism had long been almost inextricably identified with a picture of man as perfectible, as endowed with sufficient wisdom and selflessness to endure power and to use it infallibly for the general good.
    David Brooks, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
  • He is endowed with the gift of making his characters seem not only credible but desirable, approachable, and human, thanks to his undeniable charm.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 6 July 2026
Noun
  • The documentary — filmed on Santa Barbara Island, one of the Channel Islands — will be screened July 15 in a special Pride Week presentation by the San Diego Natural History Museum and the San Diego Bird Alliance.
    Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2026
  • There was a presentation by Jerren Chang, President and CEO of Partners in Democracy.
    John Werner, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
Noun
  • King contrasted the country’s technological expertise with its moral aptitude.
    Dawn M. Turner, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • But his energy and aptitude on the boards looked to be in midseason form.
    Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 4 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Gift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gift. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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