as in gift
something given to someone without expectation of a return
the company's annual Yuletide bestowals include a holiday party and substantial bonuses
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 bestowal
The bestowal of titles is a centuries-old practice in the royal family.
—
Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 29 Nov. 2025
That list had some of the feeling of the bestowal of the King’s birthday honors, except that nearly everyone on it had been charged with a federal crime.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 16 Nov. 2025
Love is impartial and universal in its adaptation and bestowals.
—David C. Kennedy, Christian Science Monitor, 16 Sep. 2025
If George becomes heir to the throne before finishing school, William may delay any bestowal of the Prince of Wales title.
—Simon Perry, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 29 Nov. 2025
That list had some of the feeling of the bestowal of the King’s birthday honors, except that nearly everyone on it had been charged with a federal crime.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 16 Nov. 2025
Love is impartial and universal in its adaptation and bestowals.
—David C. Kennedy, Christian Science Monitor, 16 Sep. 2025
If George becomes heir to the throne before finishing school, William may delay any bestowal of the Prince of Wales title.
—Simon Perry, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bestowal
Noun
-
As previously noted, one of the gifts of Russian greats that Saunders most celebrates is their way of locating complex truths in the stuff of ordinary lives—their towns and farms, and their families, their servants; their animals.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
Doing it for the first time is always a celebration and doing it at Critics’ Week is an immense gift because of the care the film receives from the moment it is invited.—
Roberto Prieto,
Variety,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Warm 75-degree weather and Lizzo were saving graces at the 32nd amfAR gala by the Hotel Du Cap Eden Roc ocean in a luxe-auction Thursday night that racked up a massive $20 million, with donations up 18% from last year for the AIDS research organization.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
22 May 2026
-
His campaign reported more than $671,000 in unitemized contributions of less than $100 each since April 19, versus less than $24,000 for Raman and less than $2,900 of the small donations for Bass.—
Connor Sheets,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
The full-size humanoid demonstrated advanced balance, precise motion control, and coordinated body movement during the live presentation.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
24 May 2026
-
Construction on the new academic building would begin no sooner than 2028, possibly later, according to a presentation shared with the community.—
Kate Perez,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
Noun
-
This is complicity spurred on by a certain kind of Western readers desire to maintain their romantic image of Russia’s past without having to engage critical with Russia’s present.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
At present, that additional tuition for nonresident students is the same across the UC’s nine general campuses.—
Tarini Mehta,
Sacbee.com,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bestowal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bestowal. Accessed 25 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
