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 At the same time, Harrell has found some people feel compelled to donate just a couple of dollars to online strangers because there is a sense of community in giving. Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025 Oilman and North Side High alum Charles Wollner had donated $50,000 toward the scholarship in his will. Richard J. Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Oct. 2025 Community members have been donating meals every night of the week to Silverstone’s family, Ellington said, with different people signed up to deliver meals every day through New Year’s. Luca Evans, Denver Post, 18 Oct. 2025 The philanthropist has bought and donated more than 600 items to the museum’s fashion and textiles department. Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 11 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for donate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for donate
Verb
  • Even for those already in jobs, volunteering to do extra work within your business or externally, could help secure your next position.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025
  • More than 1,000 of Kaiser’s current workforce also volunteered to be reassigned to work in strike locations.
    Pat Maio, Oc Register, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Aaron Byrd contributed motion graphics production.
    Danny Makki, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • To their credit, Better Factories Cambodia (BFC) continues to play an important role in promoting transparency and accountability in the garment sector, and its inclusion of freedom of association indicators in factory assessments contributes valuable data for policy dialogue.
    Sourcing Journal, Sourcing Journal, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The quick and portable system also gives investigators the ability to do DNA analysis anywhere without the need for a labratory.
    Isabel Rosales, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025
  • However, since the announcement, discourse around who should and shouldn’t be given wings exposed just how stuck in the past some viewers still are.
    Essence, Essence, 16 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Donate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/donate. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on donate

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