GIVE Synonyms: 346 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of give are afford , bestow , confer , donate , and present . While all these words mean "to convey to another as a possession," 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 is it sensible to use 'afford' instead of 'give'?

Although the words afford and give have much in common, 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 can 'bestow' be used instead of 'give'?

While the synonyms bestow and give 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 is 'confer' a more appropriate choice than 'give'?

While in some cases nearly identical to give , 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 'give'?

The synonyms donate and give are sometimes interchangeable, but donate is likely to imply a publicized giving (as to charity). // donate a piano to the orphanage

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

The meanings of present and give largely overlap; however, present carries a note of formality and ceremony. // present an award

give

verb

ˈgiv

Definition of give next

as in to donate

to make a present of thanked all the tutors who generously gave their time to help students after school

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Relevance

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as in to leave

to put (something) into the possession or safekeeping of another gave my camera to my father to hold while I went swimming

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as in to offer

to bring before the public in performance or exhibition the author will give a reading from her latest work at 7:00 p.m.

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as in to collapse

to fall down or in as a result of physical pressure they loaded the shopping cart with so much food it gave under all the weight

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as in to pay

to hand over or use up in payment I wouldn't give a nickel for such a run-down car

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as in to express

to make known (as an idea, emotion, or opinion) she gave her opinion on the matter very firmly and unmistakably

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as in to devote

to occupy (oneself) diligently or with close attention totally gave himself to his studies in the hopes of winning a scholarship for next year

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as in to yield

to produce as revenue a company that consistently gives $30 million in profits to the owner

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as in to provide

to put (something) into the possession of someone for use or consumption gave him my e-mail address

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as in to run by

to put before another for acceptance or consideration she gave the committee her grant proposal

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as in to transmit

to cause (something) to pass from one to another she gave her cold to me, and now I'm so sick that I can barely get out of bed

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb give contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of give are afford, bestow, confer, donate, and present. While all these words mean "to convey to another as a possession," 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 is it sensible to use afford instead of give?

Although the words afford and give have much in common, 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 can bestow be used instead of give?

While the synonyms bestow and give 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 is confer a more appropriate choice than give?

While in some cases nearly identical to give, confer implies a gracious giving (as of a favor or honor).

confer an honorary degree

In what contexts can donate take the place of give?

The synonyms donate and give are sometimes interchangeable, but donate is likely to imply a publicized giving (as to charity).

donate a piano to the orphanage

When might present be a better fit than give?

The meanings of present and give largely overlap; however, 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 give This warrant does not give agents permission to search and seize private property. —

Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2025 The location is atypical for its purpose, given its proximity to major sources of water, which left the tomb badly damaged from flooding not long after Thutmose II’s death. —

Francesca Aton For Artnews, Robb Report, 20 Feb. 2025 To accomplish that goal, Lamont’s office inserted language into his budget proposal that would give him the authority to order the state’s 45-member Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee to allocate more $34 million over the next two years on his administration’s priorities. —

Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 8 Feb. 2025 Cuomo's high name recognition gives him an early advantage, but the race is fluid with six months to go. —

Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 8 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for give

Recent Examples of Synonyms for give

Verb

Last year, 21,300 square feet of signage was reused and 243 tons of building material donated to local organizations.

— Candace Oehler, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
The volunteer band of gardeners has donated time and energy to keep the Village looking great.

— Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2025