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 President Donald Trump bestowed him with the honor on March 4 in a joint address to Congress. Bailey Richards, People.com, 31 May 2025 Berklee honored him with an honorary doctorate of music in 1996; North Dakota State bestowed another honorary doctorate on him in 1999. Jon Burlingame, Variety, 30 May 2025 According to a press statement, the award is bestowed upon talent in celebration of their decades of groundbreaking contributions to music, entertainment, advocacy, and community impact. Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 28 May 2025 In 1993 Yad Vashem bestowed the title of Righteous Among the Nations on Princess Alice. Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for bestow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bestow
Verb
  • In 2024, Isaacman donated to several Democrats, including Sens. Chuck Schumer, Jon Tester, Bob Casey and Mark Kelly.
    Joe Walsh, CBS News, 6 June 2025
  • The guild donates hundreds of quilts and other handmade items to a variety of groups, including Rady Children’s Hospital, senior centers, hospitals, police and military groups.
    Linda Mcintosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • Each block is meant to accommodate a building with ground-floor storefronts topped by either residential units or office space and each with its own parking structure.
    Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2025
  • Bleacher capacity will increase from 1,886 people to 2,750 to accommodate larger crowds for football games, future graduation ceremonies and band competitions.
    Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • Adding Ángeles Cruz also seemed natural to give Sira a voice.
    Callum McLennan, Variety, 8 June 2025
  • The Dodgers have sent Clayton Kershaw to the mound to give a slumping team a lift countless times during his 18-year career.
    Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
Verb
  • The Trump administration said the converted conference room in the shipping container is the only viable place to house the men on the base in Djibouti, where outdoor daily temperatures rise above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the declaration from an ICE official.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 June 2025
  • That’s because under state law, someone with a severe mental illness and a history of violence can be transferred to a more secure facility for psychiatric care, which in Idaho’s case is housed at its maximum-security prison.
    Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • Derek Condit, author of The Natural Beekeeper's Path: Treatment-Free Practices for a Living World, volunteered to help collect the bees.
    Escher Walcott, People.com, 31 May 2025
  • My company, Reboot Partners, will be volunteering to help advance these initiatives with governments and the private sector.
    Dean DeBiase, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Verb
  • If the sky becomes threatening and thunder can be heard, find a safe place to shelter.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2025
  • Despite having sheltered a baby trafficked from Brazil, Dias is not being investigated in Portugal.
    Allan de Abreu, The Dial, 3 June 2025
Verb
  • Both Norton and Bitdefender provide a spot to record all details about the contents of your wallet.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 7 June 2025
  • Senior third baseman Holly Smith provided some stellar defense in the third inning, charging a grounder on the line, scooping the ball up and flipping it to Sujack out of her glove all in one motion for the third out on a force play at the plate.
    Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2025
Verb
  • First responders found a vehicle lodged in the roof.
    PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2025
  • The man targeted still has bullet bits lodged in his chest, Brown said.
    Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bestow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bestow. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.

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