bestow

verb

bi-ˈstō How to pronounce bestow (audio)
Definition of bestownext
1
as in to donate
to make a present of bestowed a new car on their son for graduation

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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

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 Zarutska, who had a degree in art and restoration from Synergy College in Kyiv, often bestowed her art on family and friends. —Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025 For now, difficulties appear to extend beyond those bestowed with a diploma. —Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025 Young ended up 13-for-30 for 161 yards, took four sacks and had two interceptions in a 47-10 beatdown bestowed by the New Orleans Saints (who would end the season 5-12). —Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 4 Sep. 2025 The Miami Dolphins linebacker believes leadership is something innate to every person, not something bestowed at the start of every season. —Miami Herald, 1 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bestow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bestow
  1. donate
  2. accommodate
  3. give
  4. house
  5. volunteer
  6. shelter
  7. provide
  8. lodge
Verb
  • Earlier that evenings, a 4-year-old girl had died of brain injuries from an accident, and her parents had agreed to donate her organs.
    — Ruchi Kumar, NPR, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Aside from the wheelchair, per Fox 13, Kings Camo donated hunting gear and Huckleberry Hiking donated hiking gear to help make hunting and hiking activities more accessible for the 11-year-old boy.
    — Brian Anthony Hernandez, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2025
Definition of donate
Verb
  • And the rear seats can be folded down to extend the cargo space, or tipped up to accommodate taller items.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Sep. 2025
  • On top of that, a gallery rail system easily accommodates different frame sizes, shapes, weights, and thicknesses, which allows for ultra-layered, completely unique arrangements.
    — Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Sep. 2025
Definition of accommodate
Verb
  • Since applicants go through the renewal process every two years, immigration experts say that those with active status have already been screened by the government and given protection from deportation.
    — Armando Garcia, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2025
  • The app gives owners the option to connect with the owners of their canine's relative, to exchange information about their pets or schedule a playdate.
    — Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of give
Verb
  • The evening includes pre-dinner champagne, a six-person private dinner hosted by Tan and a private tour at Singapore's National Gallery, an art museum housed in two national monuments, according to Sotheby's.
    — Ernestine Siu, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2025
  • The stash houses that Robbie and his friend Cliff (Raul Castillo) are hitting happen to all belong to one biker gang, the Dark Hearts.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Definition of house
Verb
  • Now in its 113th year, the initiative connects letters to Santa with individuals and organizations that volunteer to help fulfill holiday wishes.
    — Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
  • At the end of the day, volunteering for the World Cup is an amazing opportunity to see how one of sport’s most powerful governing bodies operates from the inside.
    — Meredith Heil Bock, AFAR Media, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of volunteer
Verb
  • Authorities asked residents in the immediate area of 75th Street North and Inwood Way North to shelter in place during the search.
    — Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Israeli forces control Gaza City’s eastern suburbs and in recent days have been pounding the Sheikh Radwan and Tel Al-Hawa areas, from where they would be positioned to advance on central and western areas where most of the population is sheltering.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 19 Sep. 2025
Definition of shelter
Verb
  • That game, however, is unavailable for buyers of season-ticket packages according to emails and screenshots provided to SportsMoney by multiple season ticket holders.
    — Andrew Wagner, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • The violation is the eleventh recorded since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began, according to Defense Ministry figures provided to ABC News.
    — David Brennan, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2025
Definition of provide
Verb
  • The Resort emphasizes green lodging practices such as non-toxic cleaning supplies, linen reuse to conserve water and energy, and no bottled water in lodging units.
    — Emese Maczko, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
  • In 2024, the DOJ lodged an antitrust suit againts Live Nation and Tickemaster, alleging a monopoly in the ticketing space and seeking to break the company up.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of lodge

Browse Nearby Words

bestirs
bestow
bestowal
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Cite this Entry

“Bestow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bestow. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.

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