bestow

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb bestow contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of bestow are afford, confer, donate, give, and present. While all these words mean "to convey to another as a possession," bestow implies the conveying of something as a gift and may suggest condescension on the part of the giver.

bestow unwanted advice

When would afford be a good substitute for bestow?

In some situations, the words afford and bestow are roughly equivalent. However, 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 is confer a more appropriate choice than bestow?

While in some cases nearly identical to bestow, confer implies a gracious giving (as of a favor or honor).

confer an honorary degree

In what contexts can donate take the place of bestow?

The meanings of donate and bestow largely overlap; however, donate is likely to imply a publicized giving (as to charity).

donate a piano to the orphanage

When is it sensible to use give instead of bestow?

While the synonyms give and bestow 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

When might present be a better fit than bestow?

The synonyms present and bestow are sometimes interchangeable, but present carries a note of formality and ceremony.

present an award

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 bestow The James Beard Foundation, a national nonprofit organization that celebrates American food culture, has bestowed upon our fair city a handful of semifinalist nominations. Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 After the coronation, Prince William was bestowed with the responsibilities of being the Duke of Cornwall. Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 1 July 2025 As the critic Parul Sehgal has argued, such fare frequently bestows dark backstories on a protagonist in order to make her personality comprehensible. Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 29 June 2025 Although details surrounding the loss remain undisclosed, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posthumously bestowed the title of Hero of Ukraine on pilot Maksym Ustymenko, who reportedly downed seven aerial targets that night. Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for bestow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bestow
Verb
  • Matthew Suarez, the CBP’s acting director of field operations in Baltimore, urged the public to donate money or time to animal shelters in a post on social media platform X.
    Mike Snider, USA Today, 13 July 2025
  • The report highlights that to date, the Certified B-Corp company has donated 1,500,000 trees and reforested nine million square meters.
    Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • Instead, this bamboo foldable drying rack neatly folds out and can accommodate a full load of clothes.
    Christopher Murray 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, 14 July 2025
  • Its Bowery store is its largest at 3,000 square feet, accommodating about 45 people inside and 20 people outside.
    Gary Stern, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • The ranges are sourced from quarterly tax documents, and employers must give their permission for the department to release their names.
    Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 14 July 2025
  • The Dallas Mavericks gave fans their first look at Cooper Flagg through the first two games of the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • Cameras and equipment were already available, given the Arizona Capitol Television operations are housed at the Senate.
    Mary Jo Pitzl, AZCentral.com, 13 July 2025
  • The chariot housed the Deathriders in the bed of the truck.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • The public can volunteer on any or all of the days.
    Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2025
  • The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll.
    Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • If the sky becomes threatening and thunder can be heard, find a safe place to shelter.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 10 July 2025
  • Most of the victims were internally displaced people sheltering at a nearby Catholic mission, many of them women and children.
    Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • Factors like weather patterns, the size of animal populations that provide food for ticks, and outdoor human activities can affect the scale of tick exposures.
    State House News Service, Boston Herald, 13 July 2025
  • The village’s economic incentive award program provides financial assistance to eligible new or expanding businesses in the downtown tax increment financing district.
    Linda Girardi, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • The information lodges somewhere in our unconscious.
    Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
  • Last week, with one out left in the state Division 3 game against Waterbury and his team losing 3-2, Seymour coach Jim Hoffman lodged a protest that Waterbury was using ineligible players.
    Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 13 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bestow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bestow. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on bestow

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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