Synonym Chooser

How does the verb confer contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of confer are afford, bestow, donate, give, and present. While all these words mean "to convey to another as a possession," confer implies a gracious giving (as of a favor or honor).

confer an honorary degree

In what contexts can afford take the place of confer?

While the synonyms afford and confer are close in meaning, 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 can bestow be used instead of confer?

The meanings of bestow and confer largely overlap; however, bestow implies the conveying of something as a gift and may suggest condescension on the part of the giver.

bestow unwanted advice

When might donate be a better fit than confer?

In some situations, the words donate and confer are roughly equivalent. However, donate is likely to imply a publicized giving (as to charity).

donate a piano to the orphanage

When could give be used to replace confer?

The words give and confer can be used in similar contexts, but 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 is it sensible to use present instead of confer?

While in some cases nearly identical to confer, 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 confer He was seen Monday in court conferring with the defense’s jury consultant. Adam Reiss, NBC news, 5 May 2025 Around the same time, the bipartisan Rights for the T.S.A. Workforce Act was introduced in Congress to confer full federal protections. E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2025 New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady confers with coach Bill Belichick during a game against Cincinnati Bengals, in Foxborough, Mass., September 12, 2010. Tony Dokoupil, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2025 Meanwhile, masculinity remains one of the only frameworks that confers dignity: so much so that it's being used to position a return to manual labor as more meaningful than upward mobility. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for confer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confer
Verb
  • Deservingly, on the biggest of stages in England, the 25-year-old was granted the time to showcase that importance.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 18 May 2025
  • For decades, California has been granted special authority to set its own vehicle-emission standards by utilizing waivers issued by the EPA.
    Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2025
Verb
  • In a recent report on the state of AI studios, consulting firm FBRC.ai found the focus shifting from gee-whiz tech to traditionally rigorous storytelling.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 15 May 2025
  • Forbes also consults news reports and salary databases such as Capology, Over the Cap and Spotrac.
    Brett Knight, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • An Israeli military official, who requested anonymity to discuss operational details, said that some ground troops had begun to advance in Gaza, but declined to say when, where or how far.
    Aaron Boxerman, New York Times, 17 May 2025
  • During a session for agents at the NFL Combine in February 2025, NFLPA officials referenced but did not discuss the action and seemed to indicate that CARD would take it up but did not provide any further details.
    Chris Deubert, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Confer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confer. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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