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

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
Some companies offer packages (with champagne and gifts) or special deals; check websites for details. Shauna Farnell, Denver Post, 25 May 2026 The potential downside is that the annual gift tax exclusion cannot be used for other gifts to that beneficiary during the five years. Bob Carlson, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
Verb
Adames gifted Arizona a free rally to start the inning by airmailing a routine throw to first base that landed in the Diamondbacks’ dugout. Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 25 May 2026 Wells gifted his painting to Roosevelt in 1903, four years after completing it. Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 24 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for gift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gift
Noun
  • The Bee reviewed Vang’s local filings dating back to her initial election in 2020, which showed that her campaign donated $9,000 between 2023 and 2025 to Sacramento nonprofit Gifts To Share, which allows people to earmark donations to the Heart and Hustle Scholarship via its website.
    Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 29 May 2026
  • Their donations to elect like-minded officials has led to a rapid growth of states with new or expanded voucher plans, including Texas and New Hampshire.
    Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
Noun
  • But Everton could do with planning for the future in central defence, perhaps by finding an emerging talent in the 18- to 21-year-old age bracket who could eventually displace Keane or Tarkowski.
    Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 25 May 2026
  • Salaries for skilled tradespeople are rising, especially as data center developers seek to attract top talent.
    Jake Angelo, Fortune, 24 May 2026
Verb
  • Timothée Chalamet stays blessed.
    Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 29 May 2026
  • Prior to the meeting, dancers in Indigenous garments blessed organizers and local students, who led a procession from the nearby Alum Rock Youth Center on White Road to the district’s offices around the corner.
    Kyle Martin, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
Noun
  • Baraka’s play presents utterance as a shared medium to confront onlookers with historical racial violence and the resilience of Black Americans.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 May 2026
  • The event also honors 13 Tastemakers helping to shape Atlanta's present and future.
    Damien Henderson, CBS News, 28 May 2026
Noun
  • Indeed, Busch showed an uncanny knack for analysis and was brilliant in educating viewers on what was happening with the cars and drivers on the track.
    Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 27 May 2026
  • So, with their regular knack for superb timing, organizers immediately released the dates for the 2027 BottleRock — May 28-30 — and put presale tickets on the market.
    Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 25 May 2026
Verb
  • Rick is tightly scheduled, punctilious to a fault, endowed with verbal wit that gently but firmly shapes and smooths social interactions.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 29 May 2026
  • Evolution has therefore endowed these sites with an incredibly high capacity for regeneration.
    Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 29 May 2026
Noun
  • The full-size humanoid demonstrated advanced balance, precise motion control, and coordinated body movement during the live presentation.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 24 May 2026
  • Construction on the new academic building would begin no sooner than 2028, possibly later, according to a presentation shared with the community.
    Kate Perez, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026
Noun
  • Even if he was blown away by the aptitude of every member of a front office that has been here for the 22-45-1 run under Schoen, it still was expected that Harbaugh would bring in someone with ties to him from Baltimore.
    Dan Duggan, New York Times, 21 May 2026
  • For this class, the premise is that your purpose in life lies to the intersection of your values, your aptitudes and your interests.
    Dana Taylor, USA Today, 6 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Gift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gift. Accessed 30 May. 2026.

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