endowment

noun

in-ˈdau̇-mənt How to pronounce endowment (audio)
Definition of endowmentnext
as in talent
a special and usually inborn ability it's a sin to waste one's God-given endowments

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 endowment SpaceX’s record-breaking initial public offering in June has boosted returns for college endowments that made investments through venture capital firms, sometimes more than a decade ago. — Janet Lorin, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026 Its operating agreement with the city ended last year and a judge granted a preliminary injunction blocking GLAZA from retaining or distributing the endowment fund. — Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026 Lehigh University is a selective Pennsylvania institution with a national reputation and a $2 billion endowment. — Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026 On the other hand, private colleges with less than $100,000 endowment per student, which is most of them, are in a fix. — Jim Nowlan, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for endowment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for endowment
  1. talent
  2. gift
  3. aptitude
  4. knack
Noun
  • The backstory Once upon a time, there was a Spanish family blessed with a talent for finding historic buildings and transforming them into hotels that anyone who admires beauty and nature would want to visit.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The Crusaders graduated a lot of talent from last year’s squad, but should get healthy against the Seahawks.
    — Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of talent
Noun
  • Over the years, The Book Rack has offered thousands of books across a wide range of fiction and nonfiction genres, along with candles, notebooks, bookish gifts and more than 100 puzzles.
    — Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Prosecutors caught the elder Spitze helping his son contact four minor victims to try silencing them with gifts or orders to destroy evidence.
    — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of gift
Noun
  • Their scouting evaluation, comprehensive enough to unearth the aptitude beneath that bushy head of hair, compelled the team to select Bredeson in the fifth round of the 2026 draft.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Always consider whether extra effort in the workplace is worth it, because there could be more effective ways to demonstrate your aptitude.
    — Chris Dobstaff, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of aptitude
Noun
  • While Rahma has learned how to steer his subway debates towards viral moments, the editing process has required the team to hone a knack for finding the story within otherwise chaotic conversations.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Cunningham has become a conduit for MAGA grievances, and her knack for garnering attention has been a boon for those championing right wing causes.
    — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of knack

Browse Nearby Words

endowing
endowment
endowments
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Endowment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/endowment. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on endowment

Nglish: Translation of endowment for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about endowment

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!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All