BESTOW Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of bestow are afford , confer , donate , give , and present . While all these words mean "to convey to another as a possession," bestow implies the conveying of something as a gift and may suggest condescension on the part of the giver. // bestow unwanted advice

Q: When would 'afford' be a good substitute for 'bestow'?

In some situations, the words afford and bestow are roughly equivalent. However, 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 is 'confer' a more appropriate choice than 'bestow'?

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

The meanings of donate and bestow largely overlap; however, donate is likely to imply a publicized giving (as to charity). // donate a piano to the orphanage

Q: When is it sensible to use 'give' instead of 'bestow'?

While the synonyms give and bestow are close in meaning, 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 might 'present' be a better fit than 'bestow'?

The synonyms present and bestow are sometimes interchangeable, but present carries a note of formality and ceremony. // present an award

bestow

verb

bi-ˈstō

Definition of bestow

as in to donate

to make a present of bestowed a new car on their son for graduation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to accommodate

to provide with living quarters or shelter eventually the refugee family was bestowed in its own apartment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

eject
evict

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb bestow contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of bestow are afford, confer, donate, give, and present. While all these words mean "to convey to another as a possession," bestow implies the conveying of something as a gift and may suggest condescension on the part of the giver.

bestow unwanted advice

When would afford be a good substitute for bestow?

In some situations, the words afford and bestow are roughly equivalent. However, 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 is confer a more appropriate choice than bestow?

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

confer an honorary degree

In what contexts can donate take the place of bestow?

The meanings of donate and bestow largely overlap; however, donate is likely to imply a publicized giving (as to charity).

donate a piano to the orphanage

When is it sensible to use give instead of bestow?

While the synonyms give and bestow are close in meaning, 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 might present be a better fit than bestow?

The synonyms present and bestow are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 bestow The Florida chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists bestowed two first-place awards to Orlando Sentinel journalists, including one of its most prestigious prizes for the newspaper’s coverage of the Hope Florida scandal. — Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026 President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has bestowed one of Ukraine’s top state honors on SpaceX owner Elon Musk as Kyiv seeks to expand use of the company’s Starlink ‌terminals, which provide battlefield communications for Ukrainian forces. — Reuters, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026 The Tony Award winner also shared two particularly Dolly-esque pieces of wisdom Parton had once bestowed upon her. — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026 His hope was that the family recipe could bestow some success onto his daughter and Martinez. — The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bestow

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bestow

Verb

The film is being produced by Candle Media’s Candle True Stories with financing from Riot Games and Hypixel Studios, both of which will donate their profits from the film to charity.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026
Her representatives asked her fans to light a candle in her honor and to donate to her charity, Gloria’s Foundation.

— Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of donate

Verb

Simmer said there’s enough geographic diversity in the league to hold games in February because warm weather markets are able to accommodate them.

— Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
The various configurations allow the property to accommodate a range of needs, budgets, and even levels of privacy, making the experience that much more customizable.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of accommodate

Verb

Venice Film Festival has also given us plenty of major beauty moments—and Mary Beth Barone really brought it for her first turn on the lido.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 5 Sep. 2026
Lindsay Clancy jury says it's still deadlocked, judge gives 'dynamite instruction' Lindsay Clancy jury can't agree.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of give

Verb

In 1985, Dior issued a limited edition bracelet meant to house their famous Poison perfume, a thick, hollow noodle finished with resin stoppers that could be filled with the scent.

— Chloe Schama, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2026
Animation series will be housed at the Hotel Sina Bernini Bristol, with new programs titled Animation Next and Gap Financing.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of house

Verb

Other areas of concern are the library system's self-check-out kiosks, instances in which minor teenagers handle materials while working or volunteering at a branch, and platforms for loaning electronic materials, Adams said.

— Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 28 Aug. 2026
Billionaires can volunteer large sums of cash without being forced to do so.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of volunteer

Verb

Several members favored the Piazza della Signoria for the David, whereas architect Giuliano da Sangallo proposed sheltering it beneath the Loggia della Signoria.

— Alicja Zelazko, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Sep. 2026
The revenue the accountant worked to shelter on paper becomes the very evidence that supports the loan.

— Karen Koehler, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of shelter

Verb

The bike also has a programmable control system that can provide functions such as boost, wheel-lift assistance, speed limiting and what Bonnell calls E-Clutch functionality (more on that later).

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026
Along with performances from Chappell Roan, Doechii and more, the festival provided a space where attendees could connect directly with the festival’s nonprofit partners and hear more about the issues and communities at the center of their work.

— Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of provide

Browse Nearby Words

bestirs

bestow

bestowal

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Bestow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bestow. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of bestow

verb

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