DONATE Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'donate' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of donate are afford , bestow , confer , give , and present . While all these words mean "to convey to another as a possession," donate is likely to imply a publicized giving (as to charity). // donate a piano to the orphanage

Q: When is it sensible to use 'afford' instead of 'donate'?

The synonyms afford and donate are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 could 'bestow' be used to replace 'donate'?

While the synonyms bestow and donate are close in meaning, 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 'confer' be a good substitute for 'donate'?

The meanings of confer and donate largely overlap; however, confer implies a gracious giving (as of a favor or honor). // confer an honorary degree

Q: When might 'give' be a better fit than 'donate'?

In some situations, the words give and donate are roughly equivalent. However, 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: Where would 'present' be a reasonable alternative to 'donate'?

Although the words present and donate have much in common, present carries a note of formality and ceremony. // present an award

donate

verb

ˈdō-ˌnāt

Definition of donate next

as in to volunteer

to make a present of we plan to donate all the profits from the rummage sale to charity

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How does the verb donate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of donate are afford, bestow, confer, give, and present. While all these words mean "to convey to another as a possession," donate is likely to imply a publicized giving (as to charity).

donate a piano to the orphanage

When is it sensible to use afford instead of donate?

The synonyms afford and donate are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 could bestow be used to replace donate?

While the synonyms bestow and donate are close in meaning, bestow implies the conveying of something as a gift and may suggest condescension on the part of the giver.

bestow unwanted advice

When would confer be a good substitute for donate?

The meanings of confer and donate largely overlap; however, confer implies a gracious giving (as of a favor or honor).

confer an honorary degree

When might give be a better fit than donate?

In some situations, the words give and donate are roughly equivalent. However, 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

Where would present be a reasonable alternative to donate?

Although the words present and donate have much in common, 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 donate That’s a major premium on the $58,000 the company gave to Trump’s 2017 inauguration, which was far less than what was donated by other firms. —

William Gavin, Quartz, 13 Dec. 2024 These old products are thrown away, donated to charities or dumped into home recycling containers, experts say. —

Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024 Amazon is also reportedly planning to donate $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund, and founder Jeff Bezos is set to have dinner with Trump at Mar-a-Lago next week. —

Danielle Chemtob, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024 Earlier, there were reports that Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram led by Mark Zuckerberg, donated $1 million to the inauguration. —

Ted Johnson, Deadline, 13 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for donate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for donate

Verb

Try to participate in social activities, such as meeting a friend for coffee, volunteering somewhere, taking a class, or asking a family member to visit you at home.

Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 4 Dec. 2024
That number is even higher in Ohio, where more than 30% of residents formally volunteered in that period.

Andrew King, Axios, 3 Dec. 2024