gift 1 of 2

gift

2 of 2

verb

as in to bless
to furnish freely or naturally with some power, quality, or attribute gifted with an uncanny ability to persuade people to do things they ordinarily wouldn't

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun gift differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of gift are aptitude, bent, faculty, genius, knack, and talent. While all these words mean "a special ability for doing something," gift often implies special favor by God or nature.

the gift of singing beautifully

When can aptitude be used instead of gift?

The words aptitude and gift can be used in similar contexts, but aptitude implies a natural liking for some activity and the likelihood of success in it.

a mechanical aptitude

How do bent and aptitude relate to one another, in the sense of gift?

Bent is nearly equal to aptitude but it stresses inclination perhaps more than specific ability.

a family with an artistic bent

Where would faculty be a reasonable alternative to gift?

In some situations, the words faculty and gift are roughly equivalent. However, faculty applies to an innate or less often acquired ability for a particular accomplishment or function.

a faculty for remembering names

When could genius be used to replace gift?

The meanings of genius and gift largely overlap; however, genius suggests impressive inborn creative ability.

has no great genius for poetry

When would knack be a good substitute for gift?

Although the words knack and gift have much in common, knack implies a comparatively minor but special ability making for ease and dexterity in performance.

the knack of getting along

In what contexts can talent take the place of gift?

The synonyms talent and gift are sometimes interchangeable, but talent suggests a marked natural ability that needs to be developed.

has enough talent to succeed

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 gift
Noun
In escrow papers, Rhiannon told loan officers that the money was a gift to secure the purchase as a straw-buyer for her father, the complaint said. Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 17 July 2025 When presented with their new gift, ever curious, cats investigate and ultimately seem to enjoy their hard, new toy. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 17 July 2025
Verb
At this point, nothing gifted, not even in the video room. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 16 July 2025 On Saturday, July 12, Spanish painter Esther Moya González — who is known for live-painting musicians outside of their shows — was able to gift the superstar the piece of artwork and have a meet and greet with her. Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 15 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for gift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gift
Noun
  • The challenge has pivoted into a nationwide fundraiser for St. Jude Hospital, and the couple celebrated $4 million donations during their stay in Michigan.
    Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 14 July 2025
  • As of Sunday evening, the GoFundMe has taken off, raising more than $151,000 across 4,800 donations.
    Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025
Noun
  • Current talent ecosystems are just woefully unprepared to handle that kind of change.
    Ryan Stowers, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
  • Stalter, meanwhile, has spent the last few years on Hacks playing Hollywood assistant turned talent manager Kayla, a character with a lack of self-awareness that rivals Hannah’s.
    Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • The South is blessed with exquisite peaches all summer long.
    Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 19 July 2025
  • The nurse called the priest to do an exorcism on the house and bless the nurse and her roommate.
    Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • At present, there are no longer any active nuclear treaties between the two nations who hold 87% of all warheads.
    Scott Montgomery, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
  • At present, Red Bull sits fourth in the constructors’ championship and is effectively relying solely on Verstappen for its returns.
    Luke Smith, New York Times, 10 July 2025
Noun
  • Beringer seemingly has a knack for first impressions.
    Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 11 July 2025
  • Royal Caribbean has a knack for creating ships that cater to all ages and vacation vibes, and Ovation of the Seas strikes the right balance with active all-ages fun, kid-friendly play areas, and vibrant nightlife.
    Erica Silverstein, Travel + Leisure, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • Gathegi endows a handful of terse phrases with an especially large dose of attitude.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 10 July 2025
  • The university will also require mandatory student training on antisemitism awareness and endow a chair of Jewish studies.
    CalMatters, Mercury News, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • This elevates the dish, giving it both a unique and refined presentation.
    Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • Some colors even have matching tops, such as this deep chocolate color with a matching blazer for a polished look suitable for work, presentations, and more.
    Jacquelyn Smith, Parents, 12 July 2025
Noun
  • The Watch 8 series also offers a 12-minute running test to gauge your current aptitude for the activity from 1 (beginner) to 10 (pro).
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 11 July 2025
  • Each drill was designed to test Beringer’s physical makeup and his aptitude for the game.
    Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 11 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gift. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

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