Synonyms of present

present 1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈpre-zᵊnt 

as in gift

something given to someone without expectation of a return

an impressive array of presents for the bride and groom

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gift
• presentation
• donation
• contribution
• offering
• comp
• reward
• giveaway
• bonus
• bestowal
• award
• grant
• handsel
• fairing
• freebie
• prize
• donative
• largesse
• tribute
• benefaction
• lagniappe
• subsidy
• courtesy
• sacrifice
• care package
• tithe
• handout
• generosity
• tip
• oblation
• dole
• beneficence
• alms
• box
• remembrance
• benevolence
• windfall
• legacy
• valentine
• boon
• charity
• philanthropy
• bequest
• dowry
• propine
• favor
• gratuity
• foy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• advance
• loan
• bribe
• peace offering
• sop
• douceur

present

2 of 4

noun (2)

ˈpre-zᵊnt 

as in today

the time currently existing or in progress

I cannot talk to you at present, but perhaps in a few minutes

Synonyms & Similar Words

• today
• now
• moment
• state
• here and now
• phase
• stage

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• past
• history
• yesterday
• future
• tomorrow
• yesteryear
• offing
• yore
• hereafter
• futurity
• by-and-by

present

3 of 4

adjective

ˈpre-zᵊnt 

1

as in current

existing or in progress right now

I am very busy at the present moment

Synonyms & Similar Words

• current
• ongoing
• recent
• immediate
• existing
• extant
• new
• present-day
• existent
• modern
• instant
• contemporary
• being
• up-to-date
• newfangled
• breathing
• modernistic
• ultramodern
• mod
• living
• new-fashioned
• space-age
• supermodern
• red-hot

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• future
• coming
• over
• unborn
• terminated
• finished
• up
• through
• concluded
• ended
• completed
• past
• done
• old
• ancient
• obsolete
• former
• dated
• archaic
• antiquated
• outworn
• old-time
• out-of-date
• antediluvian
• antique
• old-fashioned
• bygone
• musty
• erstwhile
• ago
• fusty
• passé
• oldfangled
• noncontemporary

2

as in attending

being within the confines of a specified place

all of you are required to be present for every meeting

Synonyms & Similar Words

• attending
• available
• in
• participating
• accompanying
• in attendance
• at hand
• on hand
• observing
• existing
• live
• breathing
• existent
• extant
• latent
• abounding

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• absent
• gone
• out
• missing
• away
• departed
• retired
• nonexistent
• deceased
• dead
• late
• vanished
• defunct
• truant
• demised
• lost
• belated
• delinquent
• delayed
• overdue
• tardy
• AWOL

present

4 of 4

verb

pri-ˈzent 

1

as in to offer

to bring before the public in performance or exhibition

we will present a performance of Our Town tomorrow evening

Synonyms & Similar Words

• offer
• give
• stage
• carry
• perform
• show
• mount
• display
• exhibit
• unveil
• expose
• come out with
• represent
• render
• parade
• play
• portray
• show off
• depict
• enact
• act
• preview
• extend
• dramatize
• proffer
• tender
• impersonate

2

as in to introduce

to make (one person) known (to another) socially

may I present my niece Sarah?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• introduce
• acquaint
• greet
• address
• meet
• hail
• reintroduce
• reacquaint

3

as in to donate

to make a present of

the company presented a gold watch to him on the occasion of his retirement

Synonyms & Similar Words

• donate
• volunteer
• give
• provide
• contribute
• bestow
• offer
• issue
• give away
• furnish
• award
• give of
• render
• confer
• afford
• assist
• benefit
• throw in
• pay
• kick in
• aid
• chip in
• help
• pitch in
• dispense
• impart
• endow
• lavish
• proffer
• hand out
• extend
• dole out
• regale
• comp
• sacrifice
• dish out
• administer
• mete (out)
• endue
• tender
• put up
• fork (over, out, or up)
• pungle (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• keep
• hold
• retain
• withhold
• preserve
• save
• lend
• advance
• sell
• pocket
• loan

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb present contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of present are afford, bestow, confer, donate, and give. While all these words mean "to convey to another as a possession," present carries a note of formality and ceremony.

present an award

In what contexts can afford take the place of present?

The words afford and present are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, afford implies a giving or bestowing usually as a natural or legitimate consequence of the character of the giver.

the trees afford shade

a development that affords us some hope

When might bestow be a better fit than present?

While in some cases nearly identical to present, bestow implies the conveying of something as a gift and may suggest condescension on the part of the giver.

bestow unwanted advice

When is it sensible to use confer instead of present?

In some situations, the words confer and present are roughly equivalent. However, confer implies a gracious giving (as of a favor or honor).

confer an honorary degree

Where would donate be a reasonable alternative to present?

The synonyms donate and present are sometimes interchangeable, but donate is likely to imply a publicized giving (as to charity).

donate a piano to the orphanage

When could give be used to replace present?

While the synonyms give and present are close in meaning, give, the general term, is applicable to any passing over of anything by any means.

give alms

gave her a ride on a pony

give my love to your mother

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of present

Noun

And degraded plastic presents a worse environmental issue than muddy grass. — Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 11 Aug. 2026

The report from the sheriff's office shows Busch was interviewed by an investigator twice, the second time without another adult present. — Ava Berger, NPR, 10 Aug. 2026

Adjective

After a reportedly historic year of sales, booksellers had suspected that AI firms were targeting books with ISBN numbers in order to ensure that the highest volume of unique works were present in training data sets. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 17 Aug. 2026

Weight bias has long been present in both work and romantic settings. — Brittney McNamara, Vogue, 17 Aug. 2026

Verb

Exhibiting became infrequent along the way, in part because so few spaces could present his work. — Aaron Fagan, Artforum, 11 Aug. 2026

This year’s Camellia Award will be presented at Busan’s opening ceremony on October 6. — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing present

• at present