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

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
According to RadarOnline, the queen wore a brooch that was a gift from the Trumps during the royal couple’s final White House visit. Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 19 May 2026 The haberdashery is all about crafting supplies—specialty fabrics, yarns, and handprinted textiles—while the new mercantile focuses on finished artisan goods, apothecary items, unique gifts and whimsical home décor from small makers. Debby Rice, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
Verb
We humans have always been gifted at creating tools more powerful than ourselves. Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 16 May 2026 While there’s no formal ties between the sneaker and the pro wrestler, Jordan Brand has gifted him product in the past including the Bloodline Air Jordan 12 weeks before its official release. Riley Jones, Footwear News, 16 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for gift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gift
Noun
  • Warm 75-degree weather and Lizzo were saving graces at the 32nd amfAR gala by the Hotel Du Cap Eden Roc ocean in a luxe-auction Thursday night that racked up a massive $20 million, with donations up 18% from last year for the AIDS research organization.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 22 May 2026
  • His campaign reported more than $671,000 in unitemized contributions of less than $100 each since April 19, versus less than $24,000 for Raman and less than $2,900 of the small donations for Bass.
    Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
Noun
  • The three hundred players are identified during the preceding summer and fall, when team scouts scour the country to evaluate prospective college talent.
    Dan Greene, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
  • There aren’t many options for the Pistons to upgrade from someone his age, with his talent and frame.
    Hunter Patterson, New York Times, 18 May 2026
Verb
  • Romantic relationships are blessed.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 20 May 2026
  • God bless America, God bless everyone.
    Erik Ortiz, NBC news, 20 May 2026
Noun
  • This is complicity spurred on by a certain kind of Western readers desire to maintain their romantic image of Russia’s past without having to engage critical with Russia’s present.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
  • At present, that additional tuition for nonresident students is the same across the UC’s nine general campuses.
    Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 18 May 2026
Noun
  • Besides, for a story so reliant on crazy plot swings, Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed demonstrates an impressive knack for world- and character-building.
    Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2026
  • Frank's knack for constituent services was well known throughout the district, with some folks around these parts boasting about how they had been helped out by Barney - no last name necessary.
    Jon Keller, CBS News, 20 May 2026
Verb
  • Musical delight did not seem to be biologically endowed in quite the direct way people had assumed.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
  • The unique porous structure of this magnesium foam endows the material with exceptional mechanical properties, combining high formability with high energy absorption.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 May 2026
Noun
  • While eating at the company cafe after the presentation, Otone and Kensuke meet a child version of a humanoid who’s been brought back to REbirth HQ for maintenance.
    Vulture, Vulture, 17 May 2026
  • In a presentation for young athletes — and for the pro teams and college athletic departments that might invite him to speak — Stripling’s firm uses his story of a baseball prospect that got a $900,000 up-front payment and spent the $500,000 after taxes on a red Lamborghini.
    Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2026
Noun
  • Malo Gusto is athletically capable of being the Frimpong at Chelsea, but has not demonstrated the same level of aptitude in front of goal.
    Liam Twomey, New York Times, 17 May 2026
  • For this class, the premise is that your purpose in life lies to the intersection of your values, your aptitudes and your interests.
    Dana Taylor, USA Today, 6 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Gift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gift. Accessed 24 May. 2026.

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