gift 1 of 2

Definition of giftnext

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

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
Choose from a big assortment of polish, gift sets, treatments and polish for kids. Tory Johnson, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026 Funding for the building purchase was secured, in part, by gifts from the Perenchio Foundation, the Kohl Family Foundation, the Ahmanson Foundation, the late Wallis Annenberg, and celebrity donors such as Jack Black and Tanya Haden. Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
Verb
Since mom already has the candle version, gift her the matching reed diffuser to have her fave scent coursing through her space on a regular basis. Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 14 Apr. 2026 As with her suit the day before, the gown was the work of Helen Rose, a costume designer who had won an Academy Award for her creations, and was gifted by MGM movie studios, Kelly’s former employer. Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gift
Noun
  • Those supporting the family were seeking $55,000 in donations to pay for funeral costs, as well as medical and everyday bills.
    Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Reframe the purpose of your family's donation pile.
    Andee Tagle, NPR, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Jude was painfully conscious of the despoiling of his creative talents.
    Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
  • First, the team is still on the bottom floor of its rebuild and still assessing its talent level.
    Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 12 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The families hollered in celebration and got an extra moment for photos once the popemobile stopped so Leo could bless a couple of babies.
    CBS News, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
  • We were blessed to have a writers’ room that could generate 20 to 25 movie ideas.
    James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The tense exchange hints at the complications ahead as Maggie’s past threatens to unravel her present.
    Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026
  • Tiffani says McCormick, who was married, often came around their house and left Kim presents, like chocolates from Paris.
    Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Her son loved feeding stray cats and had a knack for fixing things, especially cars.
    Juliana Kim, NPR, 15 Apr. 2026
  • That’s because Deadwyler has proven her knack for summoning visceral, harrowingly realistic emotion in stories of painful resonance, work which has led to a bevy of critics’ awards, Indie Spirit and BAFTA nominations — and a good deal of outcry over Oscar snubs.
    David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 13 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Through flashbacks and leaps ahead in time, fragmentation and fantasy scenes, the film simulates complexity while endowing its characters with mere crumbs of knowledge and experience.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2026
  • Tommy Caldwell appears to be endowed with this quirk of courage.
    Namir Khaliq, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • According to a presentation by associate planner Kyle Rathbone, in 2023 there were at least 221 people experiencing homelessness across the five West Valley municipalities.
    Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2026
  • Fast forward to November 2017—three months prior to his retirement—and Pereira was fatefully summoned to Venezuela to make Citgo business presentations to government leadership.
    Jordan Blum, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • There’s enough aptitude on the roster and the front office to make a wild-card bid work.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2026
  • Mark Ruffin, a onetime music director at WBEE, recalled Alston’s enterprising nature and her aptitude for sales.
    Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Gift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gift. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.

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