gift 1 of 2

Definition of giftnext

gift

2 of 2

verb

as in to bless
to furnish freely or naturally with some power, quality, or attribute gifted with an uncanny ability to persuade people to do things they ordinarily wouldn't

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun gift differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of gift are aptitude, bent, faculty, genius, knack, and talent. While all these words mean "a special ability for doing something," gift often implies special favor by God or nature.

the gift of singing beautifully

When can aptitude be used instead of gift?

The words aptitude and gift can be used in similar contexts, but aptitude implies a natural liking for some activity and the likelihood of success in it.

a mechanical aptitude

How do bent and aptitude relate to one another, in the sense of gift?

Bent is nearly equal to aptitude but it stresses inclination perhaps more than specific ability.

a family with an artistic bent

Where would faculty be a reasonable alternative to gift?

In some situations, the words faculty and gift are roughly equivalent. However, faculty applies to an innate or less often acquired ability for a particular accomplishment or function.

a faculty for remembering names

When could genius be used to replace gift?

The meanings of genius and gift largely overlap; however, genius suggests impressive inborn creative ability.

has no great genius for poetry

When would knack be a good substitute for gift?

Although the words knack and gift have much in common, knack implies a comparatively minor but special ability making for ease and dexterity in performance.

the knack of getting along

In what contexts can talent take the place of gift?

The synonyms talent and gift are sometimes interchangeable, but talent suggests a marked natural ability that needs to be developed.

has enough talent to succeed

How does the noun gift differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of gift are aptitude, bent, faculty, genius, knack, and talent. While all these words mean "a special ability for doing something," gift often implies special favor by God or nature.

the gift of singing beautifully

When can aptitude be used instead of gift?

The words aptitude and gift can be used in similar contexts, but aptitude implies a natural liking for some activity and the likelihood of success in it.

a mechanical aptitude

How do bent and aptitude relate to one another, in the sense of gift?

Bent is nearly equal to aptitude but it stresses inclination perhaps more than specific ability.

a family with an artistic bent

Where would faculty be a reasonable alternative to gift?

In some situations, the words faculty and gift are roughly equivalent. However, faculty applies to an innate or less often acquired ability for a particular accomplishment or function.

a faculty for remembering names

When could genius be used to replace gift?

The meanings of genius and gift largely overlap; however, genius suggests impressive inborn creative ability.

has no great genius for poetry

When would knack be a good substitute for gift?

Although the words knack and gift have much in common, knack implies a comparatively minor but special ability making for ease and dexterity in performance.

the knack of getting along

In what contexts can talent take the place of gift?

The synonyms talent and gift are sometimes interchangeable, but talent suggests a marked natural ability that needs to be developed.

has enough talent to succeed

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 gift
Noun
The University of Chicago has received a $50 million gift to upgrade its historic Ida Noyes Hall as a student and campus community center. Adam Harrington, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026 This album is my gift to everyone that’s been a part of my journey all these years – my listeners, fans, everyone who attended the tour and everyone that couldn’t. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
Another high-profile error from Marseille defender Leonardo Balerdi gifted Lille a 49th-minute equalizer. ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026 Once married, Prince Harry gifted the watch to Meghan, who regularly adds it to her looks as a low-key, sweet nod to Diana. Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gift
Noun
  • Meanwhile, employees at both DFW Airport and Love Field are collecting donations – including nonperishable food, hygiene items, baby supplies, and gas or grocery gift cards – to further support federal aviation workers affected by the shutdown.
    Lauren Crawford, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
  • The donation comes as the Department of Homeland Security shutdown continues with no end in sight, leaving more than 64,000 airport security workers working without pay.
    Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Moriarty and Thekla are outstanding in the ring and outside of it, using another canvas to display their other unique talent.
    James Varsallone, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2026
  • Further, one of Vox’s advantages in the space over its audio-only competitors is that some of the shows are yoked, at least tangentially, to Vox’s publishing business, which provides additional marketing, promotion, and a funnel for some talent.
    Max Tani, semafor.com, 22 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Your 5th House of Theatricality is blessed by today’s conjunction between the Sun and Saturn, empowering play into something that can build useful skills.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Hegseth often goes beyond standard calls for God to bless the country or its troops.
    Tiffany Stanley, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • With Trump back in office, American audiences are understandably more closely watching films from distant lands that dramatize authoritarianism, seeking clues from those nations’ past to understand our present.
    Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Unwrapping the parchment paper feels like a make-shift present for your dinner guests.
    The Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • But a couple of Runoff’s standout tracks blend her personal experience with literary sources, and Ortiz has a knack for drawing these fantastical inspirations back down to earth.
    Marissa Lorusso, Pitchfork, 24 Mar. 2026
  • California’s Growing Adoption This state has a unique knack for emerging technologies and has shown a significant willingness to explore new financial tools.
    Wyles Daniel, Sacbee.com, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The winner will receive £30,000, anonymously endowed, along with a statuette known as the ‘Bessie’, created and donated by the late artist Grizel Niven.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Mar. 2026
  • As public funding for higher education has eroded, universities have increasingly turned to wealthy donors to underwrite major projects and supplement budgets by endowing professorships and research centers.
    Yana van der Meulen Rodgers, The Conversation, 27 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Schwanz took part in an on-court presentation alongside Bonnell’s daughter, Claire, The Charlotte Observer’s executive sports editor Lydia Craver and Charlotte Hornets Foundation director Whitney Tarver.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 22 Mar. 2026
  • After a presentation by NMNH Director Kirk Johnson and postdoctoral fellow Sarah Johnson, representatives of the Sicangu and Oglala Lakota saw the statues off on their journey.
    Christa Swanson, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Flutie played beyond his physical abilities partly because of his aptitude.
    Dan Pompei, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
  • What Godoy does have a great aptitude for, however, is video games.
    Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gift. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.

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