present 1 of 4

verb

pri-ˈzent How to pronounce present (audio)
Definition of presentnext
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

Relevance
2
as in to introduce
to make (one person) known (to another) socially may I present my niece Sarah?

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

present

2 of 4

adjective

ˈpre-zᵊnt How to pronounce present (audio)
1
as in current
existing or in progress right now I am very busy at the present moment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

present

3 of 4

noun (1)

ˈpre-zᵊnt How to pronounce present (audio)
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

present

4 of 4

noun (2)

ˈpre-zᵊnt How to pronounce present (audio)
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 present
Verb
New York just feels like a good regular-season team with few assets, which should present a little pause going forward. —James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025 The festival will include more than 45 eco-friendly exhibitors presenting educational displays, sustainable products, and services that promote environmental awareness and green living. —Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Each time, there are fewer people present who were part of the story. —David Bezmozgis, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025 Listen to this article Two women were stabbed, one fatally, in a Bronx apartment early Sunday by the ex-boyfriend of the survivor — and two children were present during the bloody attack, police sources said. —John Annese, New York Daily News, 6 Apr. 2025
Noun
This set-it-and-forget-it gift is the Mother’s Day present that keeps on giving. —Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 9 Apr. 2025 The new Netflix series, Adolescence, has been taking the television streaming market by storm with 96.7 million views at present. —Samantha Mann, Parents, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for present
Recent Examples of Synonyms for present
  1. offer
  2. introduce
  3. donate
  4. current
  5. give
  6. volunteer
  7. ongoing
  8. available
Verb
  • But one thing the fact sheet does not offer is a coherent implementation plan.
    — Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Its residents also gain access to the Miraval Life in Balance Spa, the largest spa on the island, with 37 treatment rooms offering Naga Thai massages, hydrotherapy, and a sensory aquatic experience.
    — Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of offer
Verb
  • Senator Ruben Gallego, a Democrat from Arizona, has introduced legislation that would make overpayments from more than ten years ago no longer recoverable by the SSA.
    — Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
  • Earlier this month, Texas Representative David Spiller introduced a bill that would prohibit health insurance companies from using AI to delay, deny, or modify claims, legislation similar to what other states have brought forward.
    — Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
Definition of introduce
Verb
  • The building, a century-old former canning and bottling plant, was donated in 2017 to two nonprofits — Affordable Recovery Housing and Residence for Patriots Services — according to a trustee’s deed documenting the transfer.
    — Samantha Moilanen, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Operated with the cooperation of law enforcement, the speed run also fast-tracks funding to local charities, as participants—who paid $3,450 for one run last year—are also expected to donate substantially to the philanthropic component.
    — Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of donate
Adjective
  • Explore Billboard See latest videos, charts and news News of Cadd’s condition was shared on the afternoon of Tuesday, April 8 (Australian time), with a statement from his family revealing his current health status.
    — Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The gray wolves share physical features with dire wolves but remain genetically and behaviorally distinct due to the limits of current technology and incomplete ancient DNA.
    — John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of current
Verb
  • But state lawmakers have been looking for ways to give citizens and communities more of a voice in the decisions, and are focusing efforts this spring on Senate Bill 78.
    — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Huang gave Bibb a white T-shirt and some twine and showed her how to tie the fabric into a sausage shape.
    — Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of give
Verb
  • Drone to Home, based in the U.K, has hundreds of drone operators and Wellbeing Walkers who volunteer their time to search for missing animals.
    — David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
  • She’s continued to take classes for more than 10 years now and also volunteers for the institute.
    — Jeanne Rawdin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of volunteer
Adjective
  • Reps for Amazon and Howell are not commenting, but sources say negotiations are currently ongoing for Howell to join the series.
    — Joe Otterson, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Discussions around a new tax bill are ongoing on Capitol Hill, but there does not currently appear to be any pointed push to remove the tax exemption on these bonds.
    — Jesse Pound, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of ongoing
Adjective
  • Samsung promises Ballie will be available in Korea and the U.S. this summer.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The report also found that there were no significant outbreaks of COVID-19-like symptoms at Defense Department facilities after the athletes returned, although service members were not tested for COVID-19 or antibodies as testing was not available at that early stage of the pandemic.
    — Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of available

Phrases Containing present

Browse Nearby Words

presences
present
presentable
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Cite this Entry

“Present.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/present. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on present

Nglish: Translation of present for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about present

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