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
One-third of consumers also report plans to buy a beauty product as a holiday gift. — Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 12 Nov. 2026 In 2021, Northwestern announced a $480 million gift from the Patrick and Shirley Ryan family supporting biomedical research, economics, business and athletics. — Sara Albrecht, Chicago Tribune, 12 Nov. 2026
Verb
The bride’s friend Karen of Jos Mundo gifted her a custom pair of bridal shoes that were a take on the brand’s Marikina Mule. — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 8 Nov. 2026 Cooked in copper kettles, then hand-rolled, cut, and wrapped on a vintage machine in Boston, these treats are beautifully boxed and ready to enjoy or gift. — ABC News, 7 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gift
Noun
  • The White House has suggested the donation had nothing to do with the FDA decision.
    — Gabe Kaminsky, CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026
  • The Portage Township School Board agreed Monday to both the donation and the use of the vending machine.
    — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 10 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Other Caller alumni suggested to Semafor that the recent pivot could threaten what in the last decade has become an important talent pipeline and incubator for the right.
    — Max Tani, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The annual tribute dinner format will change, too, with host Guy Fieri celebrating two decades of Food Network talent that have shaped the festival.
    — Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • All of a sudden, we got blessed with provisions to build a facility, like several stages and then an entire village.
    — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Nov. 2026
  • And Aunt Kathy deserves to have a good time, and God bless her.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 13 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Being expansive and futuristic isn’t (just) about synths or drum programming, but about thematically linking our past to our present, as Elucid and woods do throughout Snakes & Ladders.
    — Andre Gee, Pitchfork, 13 Nov. 2026
  • Finding the perfect present for everyone on your list can be daunting, but no one’s ever turned their noses up at an edible gift.
    — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 13 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Grumpy’s knack for musical storytelling makes Unfindable Ring feel immersive, its songs chock-full of evocative wordplay and carefully produced so that every standout line is coupled with an accompanying sonic flourish.
    — Cameron Cook, Pitchfork, 13 Nov. 2026
  • Midway through his fourth NFL season, Downs has 231 catches for 2,494 yards and 12 touchdowns and a knack for getting open that has been a recurring issue for the Chiefs.
    — Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 11 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Matolcsy was one of Orbán’s closest economic allies, and is suspected of misusing funds through a foundation set up in 2014 that was endowed with some $818 million in public assets.
    — Justin Spike, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026
  • The following year, John Nau III’s foundation gave $15 million to endow the Karsh Institute.
    — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Thursday's presentation on the data center is available here.
    — Doug Myers, CBS News, 13 Nov. 2026
  • For consulting and advisory businesses, the priority should be to make execution the core measure of success by replacing static presentations with delivery frameworks focused on measurable outcomes.
    — Vin Sonpal, Forbes.com, 12 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Even entering the simplest numbers therefore requires a lot of time and patience (as well as a certain aptitude for arithmetic).
    — Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The Duke then entered the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, where his aptitude for foreign languages was recognized with a prize.
    — Stephanie Bridger-Linning, Vanity Fair, 10 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Gift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gift. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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