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
This particular honor, by SocialMiami, naming Wertheim as its Philanthropist of the Year, was in recognition of the $10 million gift she and her then-husband made in 2013 to Florida International University to create the Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences. Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026 What started as a surprise gift of one tiny pig in 2018 has grown into a household of six rescue pigs for a Kansas City, Kansas, couple. Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
In the bottom of the ninth, the Red Sox were gifted a chaotic chance. Gabrielle Starr, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026 Dermalogica will also be gifting SPF sampling in the Paddock Club and Cabana Suites’ welcome baskets and more. Kanika Talwar, Footwear News, 1 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for gift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gift
Noun
  • Birchall testified about the specific donations Musk made to OpenAI, as well as his knowledge about Musk’s multibillion-dollar bid to acquire OpenAI last year.
    Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 2 May 2026
  • But plans to extend his floral donations for next year have bitten the dust after local authorities intervened and blocked the move.
    Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
Noun
  • Walter was an accomplished singer and Marian played the piano, but Crenshaw evidently did not inherit a talent for music.
    Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
  • Even as a young writer, her talent for digging up interesting stats, along with her contagious positivity and love for the game, set her apart in a crowded media landscape.
    Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2026
Verb
  • Once the procession — with children sitting on top of the pole in a long row — arrived at the market square, the Catholic priest, who had just finished his Mayday Mass, blessed the tree and the young men with holy water.
    ABC News, ABC News, 1 May 2026
  • On a recent weekend, we were blessed with an explosive infusion of culture in Broward County.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The names on the buildings and streets range from past to present.
    Chris Yogerst, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2026
  • Shop last-minute Mother's Day presents from Amazon, Boarderie, Build-A-Bear and more.
    Kasey Caminiti, USA Today, 6 May 2026
Noun
  • Saka brought nous to the right side and had the knack to be in the right place at the right time for the decisive moment.
    Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 6 May 2026
  • The author, a professor named Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw, proved to have a knack not just for provocative legal essays but for coinages, too.
    Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Verb
  • Political messianism is a style of leadership that places great faith in a single leader who is endowed with godlike attributes.
    Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2026
  • This information can indirectly influence national discussions by endowing them with more credibility.
    Marlen Bartsch, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • During a February school board meeting, a district official gave an hourlong presentation on the timeline, process, staffing challenges, sequence considerations and next steps.
    Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026
  • Overall, enrollment between the three preschools was at 40% of capacity, according to data from a presentation to the school board.
    Graham Womack May 3, Sacbee.com, 3 May 2026
Noun
  • Learning about her aptitude for difficult conversations, a counselor directed her toward social work instead.
    Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
  • Murray-Boyles separates himself with his defensive aptitude, though.
    Eric Koreen, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gift. Accessed 8 May. 2026.

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