BESTOW Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

bestow

verb

bi-ˈstō

Definition of bestow next

as in to donate

to make a present of bestowed a new car on their son for graduation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to accommodate

to provide with living quarters or shelter eventually the refugee family was bestowed in its own apartment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

eject
evict

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

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 bestow The ceremony, which will mark the 50th time the awards have been bestowed, will be held on March 20 at the New School in New York City. —

Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 23 Jan. 2025 Post Malone was bestowed the title of Record Store Day Ambassador for 2025. —

Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 21 Jan. 2025 Rust is a big deal, as is the fact that many Panteras have been mangled by previous owners bestowing hideous enhancements (think bad celebrity plastic surgery) on otherwise desirable cars. —

Robert Ross, Robb Report, 17 Jan. 2025 Director James Mangold, nominated for A Complete Unknown, was bestowed with the festival’s second-ever Trailblazer Award. —

David Graver, Vogue, 27 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for bestow

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bestow

Verb

Additionally, Martini Golf donates 100,000 tees annually to veterans, adaptive golf programs and kids’ golf initiatives.

— Edgar Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2025
According to the site, simply working on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, donating to Democrats, or even using pronouns in their bios was enough to land them on the list.

— Oumou Fofana, Essence, 7 Feb. 2025