Synonyms of bestow

bestow

verb

bi-ˈstō 

1

as in to donate

to make a present of

bestowed a new car on their son for graduation

Synonyms & Similar Words

• donate
• give
• volunteer
• provide
• contribute
• present
• offer
• award
• furnish
• give away
• confer
• render
• give of
• issue
• afford
• endow
• benefit
• pay
• impart
• dispense
• aid
• lavish
• assist
• throw in
• kick in
• endue
• help
• sacrifice
• extend
• chip in
• pitch in
• proffer
• regale
• administer
• comp
• hand out
• dole out
• tender
• dish out
• fork (over, out, or up)
• mete (out)
• put up
• pungle (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hold
• retain
• keep
• withhold
• preserve
• save
• lend
• sell
• advance
• pocket
• loan

2

as in to accommodate

to provide with living quarters or shelter

eventually the refugee family was bestowed in its own apartment

Synonyms & Similar Words

• accommodate
• house
• shelter
• lodge
• room
• board
• roof
• take in
• quarter
• camp
• bunk
• harbor
• chamber
• domicile
• secure
• shed
• stable
• home
• put up
• billet
• encamp
• ensconce
• bivouac
• tent
• roost
• bed (down)
• barrack

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• eject
• evict

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

Recent Examples of bestow

In Charlotte, a Michelin Exceptional Cocktails Award was bestowed upon Tonidandel-Brown Restaurant Group beverage director Colleen Hughes for her work at Charlotte’s Supperland restaurant, a hotspot since the doors opened in 2021. — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2026

He was also recently named a chevalier of the French government’s Ordre des Arts et des Lettres; the honor was bestowed upon him in Ghana by Diarra Dime Labille, France’s Ambassador to the West African country. — Gameli Hamelo, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026

After bestowing the jokey prize on actor Timothée Chalamet last year, Edwards announced that the coveted 2026 White Boy of the Year prize went to Justin Bieber. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 15 Oct. 2026

The state bestowed Netflix, Paramount and Lionsgate as studio partners, which have conferred a series of incentives to produce titles there. — Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026