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 awards will be bestowed November 6 during a gala ceremony at the Beverly Hilton. Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2025 There, he had been bestowed with the rather lofty nickname of ‘the Geordie Maradona’ — something that feels increasingly merited. Paul Taylor, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025 Combining investigative journalism, DNA analysis and cinematic dramatization, the docuseries examines four competing theories about Columbus’ origins and the mystery around the titles bestowed on him by the Catholic Monarchs. Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025 This is a win for you, dear reader, since contemporary, beloved A-listers from Olivia Rodrigo and Selena Gomez to Charli XCX and Gigi Hadid are bestowing upon all of us inspiration on the exact Ugg styles to shop and how to properly fuse each one with today’s top fashion trends. Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bestow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bestow
Verb
  • Along with the launch, Aniston is helping Pvolve kick off the nationwide Strong for Fall Challenge, a three-week commitment to complete 10 strength-building workouts, and, for every challenge completed, Pvolve will donate $1 to Women in Medicine.
    Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
  • According to Henley & Partners, prospective citizens can donate $230,000 to the National Development Fund (for families of up to four) or $260,000 to the University of the West Indies Fund.
    Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The planes have a range of 7,750 miles, and can accommodate up to 13 passengers.
    Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
  • In total, Cotino aims to accommodate around 1,900 residential units across a 618-acre site.
    Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Tim Curry of Rocky Horror Picture Show fame memorably gave the dancing clown its first breath in a 1990 miniseries co-written and directed by Tommy Lee Wallace.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
  • When Salah was left out away at Galatasaray last month, Slot could sell it as keeping him fresh given the trip to Turkey fell between tricky Premier League games against Crystal Palace and Chelsea.
    James Pearce, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The site has housed many historical figures over the years, from Queen Margaret to Mary, Queen of Scots.
    Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 22 Oct. 2025
  • The company houses other productions, not least an upcoming reimagination of Dick Van Dyke family classic Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, which is in the works with Amazon MGM Studios.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The officer whose gun was taken by the teen has been placed on administrative leave, Roebuck shared, and said that both of the officers were volunteering while teaching the archery class that day.
    Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The group of high school seniors volunteered as part of a first-time project for their literature and social justice class taught by Maeve Gavagan, an English teacher at Marquette High.
    Alyssa N. Salcedo, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Beaver Moon takes its name from early Native American tribes as well as American colonists, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac, when beavers begin sheltering in their lodges after gathering enough food to last the winter.
    Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 24 Oct. 2025
  • The myth originated during World War II when Londoners sheltering from German warplanes in subway stations had to endure bites from mosquitoes.
    Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • L3Harris revealed that the communications suite will provide interoperability with the United States, NATO and coalition partners, creating a networked battlespace with fifth-generation aircraft and beyond.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Emirates confirmed to Reuters that its plane was leased from and operated by ACT Airlines, a Turkish carrier that provides extra cargo capacity to major airlines.
    Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Fernandes Anderson pleaded guilty on May 5 to two of six charges — one count of wire fraud and one count of theft concerning a federal program — that had been lodged against her in a December 2024 federal indictment.
    Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 22 Oct. 2025
  • The newspaper reported that the bullet allegedly fired by the suspect, Deborah Benefiel, had struck the 21-year-old former basketball player in his lung and then the heart before becoming lodged in his chest.
    Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bestow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bestow. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.

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