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 Multiple letters also came in from people from ordinary walks of life recalling favors bestowed by the former speaker, from helping to land a college scholarship to an opportunity to work in Madigan’s 13th Ward headquarters at 65th and Pulaski. Ray Long, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2025 The festival will bestow the honor upon Liu on the evening of Thursday, Aug. 14, with the star afterwards set to present her film Rosemead about the Asian American mental health crisis, alongside the film’s cast and crew. Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 10 June 2025 To put the scope of the difficulty of landing such an award, the event bestowed medals (silver, gold, gold outstanding) on 264 gins this year; only eight took home the top prize. Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025 Not very many Black people are bestowed such an honor. Maria Fontoura, Rolling Stone, 7 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for bestow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bestow
Verb
  • In short, the legislation currently bouncing around Congress would, at least temporarily, allow anyone who donates to charity to get a tax break — not just the mega-philanthropists among us.
    Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 19 June 2025
  • The tournament also donates 100 percent of its net proceeds to charity every year, generating more than $3.2 million for 200 charities throughout the New England region in 2024.
    Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • Most judges cannot accommodate an evidentiary hearing the same day.
    Wendy Hickey, Boston Herald, 22 June 2025
  • If approved, the music hall will accommodate an audience of 728 people and a stage big enough to support a symphony orchestra, according to MYAC CEO Allen Dennis.
    Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • The video was giving Step Up and Save The Last Dance vibes with how heavily involved the dancing elements were.
    Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 20 June 2025
  • That arc gave us both such emotional depth to play with.
    Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • For six years, the building that once housed The Coffee Cup, a beloved neighborhood diner in St. Paul’s North End, sat empty.
    Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 19 June 2025
  • The property will feature amenities that have traditionally been hard to come by in New Hampshire hotels, such as a wine cellar, a beachside bourbon bar, and a library that houses a grand piano.
    Everett Potter, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • Since its founding, Project Neighbors has volunteered over 100,000 hours to the construction and renovation of more than 100 properties.
    Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025
  • Diep currently volunteers at Emboldly, a nonprofit focused on empowering women to step into leadership roles.
    Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • If the sky becomes threatening and thunder can be heard, find a safe place to shelter.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 28 June 2025
  • He and his colleagues were effectively trapped inside the Argentine Embassy in Caracas — where the opposition members fled to, and were sheltered due to the diplomatic status of the embassy.
    Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • The blood drive provides an opportunity for the community to come together and support local patients while also honoring area first responders for their work, the release states.
    NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 June 2025
  • The front desk team can provide the number for a local transportation company.
    Kate Lewis, New York Times, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • Back at the scene, Mariska was pulled from the wreckage, where she had been lodged under the passenger seat with a head injury, explains her stepmom, Ellen Hargitay.
    Catherine Santino, People.com, 17 June 2025
  • The bullet exited the woman’s left temple and then lodged in Holiday’s forearm.
    Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 17 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bestow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bestow. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

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