Synonyms of present

present 1 of 4

verb

pri-ˈzent 

1

as in to offer

to bring before the public in performance or exhibition

we will present a performance of Our Town tomorrow evening

Synonyms & Similar Words

• offer
• give
• stage
• carry
• perform
• show
• mount
• display
• exhibit
• unveil
• expose
• come out with
• represent
• render
• parade
• play
• portray
• show off
• depict
• enact
• act
• preview
• extend
• dramatize
• proffer
• tender
• impersonate

2

as in to introduce

to make (one person) known (to another) socially

may I present my niece Sarah?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• introduce
• acquaint
• greet
• address
• meet
• hail
• reintroduce
• reacquaint

3

as in to donate

to make a present of

the company presented a gold watch to him on the occasion of his retirement

Synonyms & Similar Words

• donate
• volunteer
• give
• provide
• contribute
• bestow
• offer
• issue
• give away
• furnish
• award
• render
• give of
• confer
• afford
• assist
• benefit
• throw in
• pay
• kick in
• aid
• chip in
• help
• pitch in
• dispense
• impart
• endow
• lavish
• extend
• proffer
• hand out
• dole out
• regale
• comp
• indue
• sacrifice
• dish out
• administer
• mete (out)
• endue
• tender
• put up
• fork (over, out, or up)
• pungle (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• keep
• hold
• retain
• withhold
• preserve
• save
• lend
• advance
• sell
• pocket
• loan

present

2 of 4

adjective

ˈpre-zᵊnt 

1

as in current

existing or in progress right now

I am very busy at the present moment

Synonyms & Similar Words

• current
• ongoing
• recent
• immediate
• existing
• extant
• new
• present-day
• existent
• modern
• instant
• contemporary
• being
• up-to-date
• newfangled
• breathing
• modernistic
• ultramodern
• mod
• living
• new-fashioned
• space-age
• supermodern
• red-hot

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• future
• coming
• over
• unborn
• terminated
• finished
• up
• through
• concluded
• ended
• completed
• past
• done
• old
• ancient
• obsolete
• former
• dated
• archaic
• antiquated
• outworn
• old-time
• out-of-date
• antediluvian
• antique
• old-fashioned
• bygone
• musty
• erstwhile
• ago
• fusty
• passé
• oldfangled
• noncontemporary

2

as in attending

being within the confines of a specified place

all of you are required to be present for every meeting

Synonyms & Similar Words

• attending
• available
• in
• participating
• accompanying
• in attendance
• at hand
• on hand
• observing
• existing
• live
• breathing
• existent
• extant
• latent
• abounding

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• absent
• gone
• out
• missing
• away
• departed
• retired
• nonexistent
• deceased
• dead
• late
• vanished
• defunct
• truant
• demised
• lost
• belated
• delinquent
• delayed
• overdue
• tardy
• AWOL

present

3 of 4

noun (1)

ˈpre-zᵊnt 

as in today

the time currently existing or in progress

I cannot talk to you at present, but perhaps in a few minutes

Synonyms & Similar Words

• today
• now
• moment
• state
• here and now
• phase
• stage

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• past
• history
• yesterday
• future
• tomorrow
• yesteryear
• offing
• yore
• hereafter
• futurity
• by-and-by

present

4 of 4

noun (2)

ˈpre-zᵊnt 

as in gift

something given to someone without expectation of a return

an impressive array of presents for the bride and groom

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gift
• presentation
• donation
• contribution
• offering
• comp
• giveaway
• award
• largess
• bestowal
• grant
• prize
• freebee
• bonus
• handsel
• fairing
• freebie
• donative
• largesse
• tribute
• benefaction
• lagniappe
• courtesy
• subsidy
• sacrifice
• care package
• tithe
• generosity
• reward
• handout
• tip
• oblation
• dole
• box
• beneficence
• alms
• remembrance
• benevolence
• windfall
• legacy
• valentine
• charity
• boon
• philanthropy
• dowry
• bequest
• propine
• favor
• gratuity
• foy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• advance
• loan
• bribe
• peace offering
• sop
• douceur

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

Recent Examples of present

Verb

For the second year in a row, Variety partnered with the Mary Tyler Moore Vision Initiative to present the Mary Tyler Moore Visionary Award, presented this year to Jean Smart at the 2025 Variety FYC TV Fest. —Lauren Coates, Variety, 12 May 2025

The Fundació Joan Miró, Barcelona, has presented this year’s Joan Miró Prize to French-Canadian multidisciplinary artist Kapwani Kiwanga. —News Desk, Artforum, 12 May 2025

Adjective

Higgins, Read and O'Keefe were all present at the Waterfall Bar and Grille on Jan. 28, 2022, and Jackson asked Bukhenik whether surveillance video showed Higgins being aggressive toward O'Keefe. —Michael Ruiz , Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2025

Burks said those officers help intervene in conflicts, connect with families and are present in the classrooms and campuses, building trusting relationships with students as young as kindergartners. —Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2025

Noun

While flashier statement gifts, such as a high-end purse or the ubiquitous flowers and gourmet chocolates, are lovely choices, sometimes the most meaningful presents are those that speak from the heart. —Jené Luciani Sena May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 8 May 2025

India And Vietnam At present, most iPhones purchased in the U.S. are produced in China, which is subjected to tariffs exceeding 100%. —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025

Phrases Containing present

• at present