Synonym Chooser

How does the verb donate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of donate are afford, bestow, confer, give, and present. While all these words mean "to convey to another as a possession," donate is likely to imply a publicized giving (as to charity).

donate a piano to the orphanage

When is it sensible to use afford instead of donate?

The synonyms afford and donate are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 could bestow be used to replace donate?

While the synonyms bestow and donate are close in meaning, bestow implies the conveying of something as a gift and may suggest condescension on the part of the giver.

bestow unwanted advice

When would confer be a good substitute for donate?

The meanings of confer and donate largely overlap; however, confer implies a gracious giving (as of a favor or honor).

confer an honorary degree

When might give be a better fit than donate?

In some situations, the words give and donate are roughly equivalent. However, 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

Where would present be a reasonable alternative to donate?

Although the words present and donate have much in common, 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 donate So far, more than 600 instruments have been donated, with 550 flood victims able to receive the gifts — a symbolic gesture of empathy and culture in this musically-rich landscape. Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 4 Oct. 2025 As online fundraisers are surfacing, Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye said people looking to support the victims should be careful of scams looking to take advantage of people eager to donate. Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 3 Oct. 2025 Leaving files on it could expose your personal data if the computer is ever donated, recycled or resold. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025 Borchetta also recently donated $15 million to Middle Tennessee State University, which renamed its College of Media and Entertainment after him. Bryan West, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for donate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for donate
Verb
  • Tanner and her team are not alone—the community has rallied their support to rebuild their beloved community gardens with hundreds of people volunteering their time to help.
    Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 2 Oct. 2025
  • With a passion to help people, Klie now wants to spend more time volunteering to help the homeless in Columbia.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Reporter Greta Cross contributed.
    Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Both offenses should get an opportunity to contribute to the outcome, went the thinking, even if the offense that goes first scores a touchdown.
    The Athletic NFL Staff, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • How does a century-old industrial company such as Firmenich (renamed DSM-Firmenich following its 2023 merger with Dutch chemical firm DSM) manage to remain globally competitive today, given that a large share of its cost base is in the most expensive country in the world?
    Peter Vanham, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act requires employers to give 60 days’ notice ahead of mass layoffs.
    Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Donate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/donate. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on donate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!