as in gift
something given to someone without expectation of a return
the company's annual Yuletide bestowals include a holiday party and substantial bonuses
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 bestowal
The bestowal of titles is a centuries-old practice in the royal family.
—
Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 29 Nov. 2025
That list had some of the feeling of the bestowal of the King’s birthday honors, except that nearly everyone on it had been charged with a federal crime.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 16 Nov. 2025
Love is impartial and universal in its adaptation and bestowals.
—David C. Kennedy, Christian Science Monitor, 16 Sep. 2025
If George becomes heir to the throne before finishing school, William may delay any bestowal of the Prince of Wales title.
—Simon Perry, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 29 Nov. 2025
That list had some of the feeling of the bestowal of the King’s birthday honors, except that nearly everyone on it had been charged with a federal crime.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 16 Nov. 2025
Love is impartial and universal in its adaptation and bestowals.
—David C. Kennedy, Christian Science Monitor, 16 Sep. 2025
If George becomes heir to the throne before finishing school, William may delay any bestowal of the Prince of Wales title.
—Simon Perry, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bestowal
Noun
-
Guests were given a complimentary tote bag full of gifts inspired by the movie—including a TreSemme workable hair spray, Devil Wears Prada branded Diet Coke, and a copy of the fictional Runway magazine, with Blunt’s Emily Charlton on the cover.—
Chris Murphy,
Vanity Fair,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Our brother-in-law is, of course, invited to the brunch, along with our dad; he would just not be included in the gift of putting on the event.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The voting was donation-based, meaning every vote also served as a direct contribution to conservation efforts for the species.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Some residents at the April 16 meeting posited that the Park District’s controversial donation pact with billionaire resident Justin Ishbia played a role in the dog beach designs.—
Shun Graves,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The alarming outlook was outlined during a presentation to the Board of Supervisors on the 2024 Annual Report on Contra Costa Continuum of Care.—
Sierra Lopez,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The veteran filmmaker was speaking via Zoom link after being held up in the States following the Cinemacon presentation in Las Vegas.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Ja, ein Geschenk (a present) from the Germans!—
Valerie Fridland,
Big Think,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Building on the 1986 graphic novel series by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, it is presciently set in an alternate present in which police officers wear masks to hide their identities.—
David Faris,
TheWeek,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bestowal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bestowal. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
