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
Even this highly personal gift idea isn’t cutting it, and Noreen is getting frazzled as the date draws nigh. Judith Martin, Mercury News, 24 June 2025 The orange color is now warmer and includes a new motif inspired by native Hawaiian flowers and meant to resemble a gift. Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 24 June 2025
Verb
CEOs aren’t naturally gifted at time management and Ryder System CEO Robert Sanchez knows that all too well. Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 23 June 2025 The client, whom Ali declined to name, introduced him to Bitcoin, gifting him his first coin, worth $458 at the time. Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for gift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gift
Noun
  • Connelly frequently downplayed her reputation and aptitude for knowing how to ask for large donations from important individuals.
    Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2025
  • The gang is in existential crisis mode when they get thrown into a donation box and face their own mortality at a day care run by a sadistic teddy bear.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 21 June 2025
Noun
  • End of the day, this is going to hurt our universities, chase away world- class talent.
    CBS News, CBS News, 29 June 2025
  • Perry values DeRozan’s talent and professionalism — not to mention roster depth — and DeRozan has a reasonable contract.
    Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • Some parks, however, are blessed with ample indoor options.
    Matt Alderton, USA Today, 25 June 2025
  • This product leaves my skin feeling deeply moisturized and blessed after each shower.
    Kayla Greaves, Essence, 23 June 2025
Noun
  • At present, details about the containment or cause of the fire are unknown.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 28 June 2025
  • He's also starred in the Twilight film series (2008–2011), The Blacklist (2015–2016) and its 2017 spinoff, and the Apple TV+ sci-fi drama series For All Mankind (2022–present).
    EW.com, EW.com, 28 June 2025
Noun
  • The Bucks have a knack for finding under-the-radar snipers late in free agency—Malik Beasley in 2023 and Trent last year come to mind.
    Brian Sampson, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
  • The Mustangs have a knack for drama and often find themselves in high-stakes moments late in games.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • The $1 million contribution, provided by the Bale family, established the hospital's Pediatric Interventional Radiology endowed chair.
    Keelin Fisher, Arkansas Online, 24 June 2025
  • The gift, made in November 2024, will endow two professorships within the Department of Neurology.
    Jason Phillips, USA Today, 17 June 2025
Noun
  • Now, the government plans to finish its presentation on Monday, which means the defense will get to call its own witnesses beginning Tuesday.
    Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 20 June 2025
  • The Biennial also features a presentation of paintings from the Gardena High School Art Collection, an assemblage of California Impressionism that began in 1919, and a program curated by present-day teenagers of works drawn from the Orange County Museum of Art collection. Saturday through Jan. 4.
    Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • Connelly frequently downplayed her reputation and aptitude for knowing how to ask for large donations from important individuals.
    Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2025
  • Those are two promising indicators of his aptitude for spacing the floor for his high-usage teammates.
    Mat Issa, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gift. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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