gift 1 of 2

gift

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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

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 gift
Noun
The gift package was posted on the Kansas City Chiefs social media with the Rolex Date-Just 41 taking pride of place in its green box. Sophie Furley, Robb Report, 21 Dec. 2024 The steak scene in The Matrix, the chocolate cake scene in Matilda, the orange peel scene in The Godfather—all iconic, but more focused on the indulgent act of consumption rather than the gift of nourishing another person. Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 21 Dec. 2024
Verb
In an early Christmas surprise, McCartney gifted fans at London's O2 Arena with a guest appearance from Starr, the famed drummer, and fellow British rocker Ronnie Wood of The Rolling Stones on Thursday night. Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 20 Dec. 2024 What made that Christmas so memorable was that my father gifted me a radio. Staff, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for gift 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gift
Noun
  • One in three people were repeat donors on the site, and the average donation amount throughout the year was $77.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
  • Federal prosecutors have accused Adams of illegally receiving campaign donations from Turkish diplomats and businesspeople and accepting luxury travel perks from Turkish nationals, including rooms at opulent hotels, meals at high-end restaurant and free travel on a Turkish airline.
    Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The complaint represents a significant step forward in the efforts by some unscripted talent to unionize.
    Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024
  • His talent for consistently topping a .300 batting average is exactly what the Yankees need hitting ahead of Aaron Judge.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • God please bless his family, comfort them and protect the hearts of his loved 1z.
    Newsweek, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024
  • Some versions of the tradition call for getting a pomegranate blessed while attending church, then hanging the fruit on the front door from Christmas until New Year’s.
    Gia Yetikyel, Vogue, 21 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • For me, on Christmas Day, after opening presents, just getting into the kitchen.
    Jennifer Kester, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
  • Jennifer Garner is giving out gift ideas and winter style inspo this holiday season — just don’t look to her for tips on wrapping your presents.
    Clint Davis, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Like Floyd, Mangione may also have a knack for the myth-building flourish.
    Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2024
  • These choices are testament to Osei’s uncanny knack for spotting new rising stars— Jellyfish and Lobster is now in consideration for an Oscar and the film is available to view in the Academy screening room.
    Nina-Sophia Miralles, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • McNEAL: You’re endowed with abilities, physical traits.
    Ayad Akhtar, The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2024
  • Helen, on the other hand, has blossomed from dowdy to dazzling, and is now a best-selling author bent on revenge and wooing back Ernest. Desperate, Madeline finds a potion endowing her with eternal youth — but with a few Faustian caveats.
    Frank Rizzo, Variety, 22 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Sasaki has elite stuff, and at just 23 years old, all 30 teams should be going all in with their presentations to try and woo him to their organization.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
  • The seven-member council, after listening to the presentations but not asking any questions, plan to select the next county executive by a simple majority vote at an undetermined date in the future, County Council Chairman Izzy Patoka previously said.
    Brooke Conrad, Baltimore Sun, 17 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Eight dining venues showcase the hotel’s culinary aptitude.
    Joe Niehaus, Travel + Leisure, 9 Dec. 2024
  • Learning is divided into grades and separated by age and aptitude.
    Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 12 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near gift

Cite this Entry

“Gift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gift. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on gift

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