Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

bestow

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of bestow

1 to make a present of
  • bestowed a new car on their son for graduation
Synonyms of bestow

contribute, donate, give, give away, present, volunteer
Words Related to bestow

chip in, kick in, pitch in, throw in

award, confer, endow, endue (or indue), render

afford, comp, furnish, provide

lavish, regale

aid, assist, benefit, help

administer, dish out, dispense, dole out, hand out, impart, issue, mete (out)

extend, fork (over, out, or up), offer, pay, proffer, pungle (up), put up, tender

sacrifice
Phrases Synonymous with bestow

give of
Near Antonyms of bestow

hold, keep, pocket, retain, withhold

preserve, save

advance, lend, loan

sell
2 to provide with living quarters or shelter
  • eventually the refugee family was bestowed in its own apartment
Synonyms of bestow

accommodate, billet, bivouac, board, bunk, camp, chamber, domicile, encamp, harbor, house, lodge, put up, quarter, roof, room, shelter, take in
Words Related to bestow

ensconce, home, roost, secure, shed, stable, tent

barrack

bed (down)
Near Antonyms of bestow

eject, evict

Synonym Discussion of bestow

give, present, donate, bestow, confer, afford mean to convey to another as a possession. 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
present carries a note of formality and ceremony.
    • present an award
donate is likely to imply a publicized giving (as to charity).
    • donate a piano to the orphanage
bestow implies the conveying of something as a gift and may suggest condescension on the part of the giver.
    • bestow unwanted advice
confer implies a gracious giving (as of a favor or honor).
    • confer an honorary degree
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

Learn More about bestow

  1. Dictionary: Definition of bestow Spanish Central: Translation of bestow Nglish: Translation of bestow for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of bestow for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up bestow? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games