bestow

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb bestow contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of bestow are afford, confer, donate, give, and present. While all these words mean "to convey to another as a possession," bestow implies the conveying of something as a gift and may suggest condescension on the part of the giver.

bestow unwanted advice

When would afford be a good substitute for bestow?

In some situations, the words afford and bestow are roughly equivalent. However, 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 is confer a more appropriate choice than bestow?

While in some cases nearly identical to bestow, confer implies a gracious giving (as of a favor or honor).

confer an honorary degree

In what contexts can donate take the place of bestow?

The meanings of donate and bestow largely overlap; however, donate is likely to imply a publicized giving (as to charity).

donate a piano to the orphanage

When is it sensible to use give instead of bestow?

While the synonyms give and bestow 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

When might present be a better fit than bestow?

The synonyms present and bestow are sometimes interchangeable, but present carries a note of formality and ceremony.

present an award

Examples 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 bestow Hence, compute leadership can bestow upon the country or firm something no single entity can offer – control over the world systems. Mark Minevich, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025 The event, hosted by the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA, pays tribute to King’s life and work and bestows the Human Dignity Award on people or groups who have shown commitment to his values. Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025 As if Tampa Bay Buccaneers wideout Mike Evans wasn't already having a memorable week, he has been bestowed with a unique honor. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025 Each of the three new entries also gets a shield to bestow on the player of their choosing to keep them safe from the next murder. Joe Reid, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for bestow 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bestow
Verb
  • Looney donated a kidney to her mother in 1999 and later pregnancy complications caused high blood pressure that damaged her remaining kidney, which eventually failed, a rare circumstance among living donors.
    Landon Mion, Fox News, 26 Jan. 2025
  • Merry says items that don’t serve a practical purpose and don’t have any sentimental value are probably best to donate, recycle, or dispose of.
    Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • However, Cassidy's friends have been more than accommodating when spending time together.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Perle was underwriting it and finally had to rent a hall to accommodate the troops.
    CBS News, CBS News, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Acquiring Plum gives a veteran guard to the Sparks young core of Rickea Jackson and Cameron Brink and reunites her with her former Aces teammate Dearica Hamby.
    Doug Feinberg, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2025
  • After a miserable year for the run defense, Morgan is hoping to give the trenches a facelift in free agency and the draft.
    Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 27 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Loftin Hall itself, the former student dining hall where the museum is housed, is noteworthy on its own, with beautiful Mexican tiles and sturdy wooden beams.
    Pam LeBlanc, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2025
  • Mary is the director at the hospital where the Holmes Clinic is housed, and Chestnut and Aytes have fantastic chemistry despite their characters’ differing patient care tactics.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 26 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll.
    Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 20 Jan. 2025
  • Jackson and her husband, Aubrey Jackson, who volunteers at the center, are grieving over the loss of their son and daughter last year.
    Francine Knowles, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Leaders are asking everyone to shelter at home Wednesday and stay off the roads until the ice melts.
    Carlie Kollath Wells, Axios, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Two families had been sheltering there when the attack happened just before dawn.
    Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The Port Authority will provide $200,000 in matching funding, according to the city board resolution, which was approved as part of the consent agenda on Tuesday.
    Joseph Flaherty, arkansasonline.com, 26 Jan. 2025
  • The three and a half years before then offer opportunities to provide additional safety measures that would improve prospects.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 26 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • An ember from that fire raced on the wind and lodged into a 50-foot palm tree by the main JJU house.
    Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Getty Images Consumers who see an error on their credit report should lodge a dispute in writing, along with documentation.
    Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 17 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near bestow

Cite this Entry

“Bestow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bestow. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on bestow

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