present 1 of 4

present

2 of 4

adjective

present

3 of 4

noun (1)

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

present

4 of 4

noun (2)

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
Verb
And a big part of the film was presenting the world through John and Yoko’s television — Kevin’s idea. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025 Her dancers were all gay, and this enabled her, as a pop star, to present herself in a new kind of pas de deux with masculinity. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Scott, who was the acting deputy chief patrol agent in San Diego at the time, was not present when Hernández Rojas was fatally injured. Alex Riggins, Mercury News, 1 May 2025 Beneath the veneer of misanthropy and the din of controversy her perspective has often incited lies a more generous sensibility that was always present but is only now coming to the fore. Judy Berman, Time, 1 May 2025
Noun
What To Know At present, the United States does not charge immigrants to apply for asylum protections, which also stops them from being deported. Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025 About 10,000 employees work there at present, many of whom are tasked with operating both the Hubble Space Telescope and James Webb Space Telescope. Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 23 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for present
Recent Examples of Synonyms for present
Verb
  • Among its facilities is an underground cafeteria with seating for 300 people, which offers a sense of how many people could be housed there.
    Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 1 May 2025
  • Annie Stafford, 29, lives in Melbourne, Australia, and is the founder of business Ford Wardrobe, which offers courses on how to sew.
    Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • This post contains spoilers for Thunderbolts*. Thunderbolts* introduces one of the more unassuming villains of the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Some guy named Bob walking around barefoot in his pajamas.
    Eliana Dockterman, Time, 2 May 2025
  • The healing oil is so good that the brand waited three decades to even introduce a new product.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 2 May 2025
Verb
  • James Su, president of EDI Media in West Covina, donated $500 to Wang’s campaign on Oct. 10, 2022.
    Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
  • Alice Walton, the billionaire Walmart heiress, donated another $100,000 last month, and scores of executives in the real estate and financial sectors have given even more to pro-Cuomo efforts.
    Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 2 May 2025
Adjective
  • Its forecast for sales of $159 billion to $164 billion during the current quarter (April-June) also surpassed analysts' estimates – a sign that Amazon is confident in its ability to navigate the shifting tariff situation.
    Mike Snider, USA Today, 2 May 2025
  • Bojorquez has been good and is entering the final year of his current deal.
    Zac Jackson, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • Haack has also moved on with boyfriend Christopher Larocca, CEO and president of Network Connex, and has been giving her followers a look at their relationship on social media.
    Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 4 May 2025
  • While disruptive to e-commerce, the end of de minimis treatment of Chinese goods could give a boost to retailers less reliant on e-commerce or on Chinese manufacturing.
    Helen Reid, USA Today, 4 May 2025
Verb
  • More than 2,000 employees have volunteered for a reassignment.
    Ashley Lopez, NPR, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Harper volunteered for a five-year term on her medical school's admission committee, has given numerous presentations, and has taught medical students and residents.
    Angela D. Harper, EverydayHealth.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This analysis of an innovative AI breakthrough is part of my ongoing Forbes column coverage on the latest in AI, including identifying and explaining various impactful AI complexities (see the link here).
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
  • The following year, due to the ongoing war situation in Ukraine, the Contest was hosted in Liverpool, UK.
    Caroline Frost, Deadline, 4 May 2025
Adjective
  • Which player-team pairings seem best? Winners and losers from Round 1 Best available players for Friday Several prominent prospects are still waiting to hear their name get called during the 2025 NFL Draft.
    Jim Reineking, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • This is a developing news story and will be updated as more information is available.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Present.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/present. Accessed 7 May. 2025.

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