donate

verb

ˈdō-ˌnāt How to pronounce donate (audio)
Definition of donatenext
as in to volunteer
to make a present of we plan to donate all the profits from the rummage sale to charity

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb donate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of donate are afford, bestow, confer, give, and present. While all these words mean "to convey to another as a possession," donate is likely to imply a publicized giving (as to charity).

donate a piano to the orphanage

When is it sensible to use afford instead of donate?

The synonyms afford and donate are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 could bestow be used to replace donate?

While the synonyms bestow and donate 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 would confer be a good substitute for donate?

The meanings of confer and donate largely overlap; however, confer implies a gracious giving (as of a favor or honor).

confer an honorary degree

When might give be a better fit than donate?

In some situations, the words give and donate are roughly equivalent. However, 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

Where would present be a reasonable alternative to donate?

Although the words present and donate have much in common, 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 donate Those are Team Drake Maye, and Team 10, in which participants can join by donating $10 a month or a one-time $110 donation to receive an exclusive Team 10 t-shirt. —Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2026 Beyond the rooms, the hotel sources both food- and non-food products from around the vicinity, and minimizes wood waste by donating it or incorporating it into various dishes and drinks. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Feb. 2026 His body was donated to medical education, and a Mass of Christian burial is pending. —Jacques Kelly, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 2026 Columbia University agreed to pay the federal government $200 million, while Brown University agreed to donate $50 million to workforce development programs. —CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for donate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for donate
  1. volunteer
  2. contribute
  3. give
Verb
  • The university previously told 7News that Bozeman was active in community service, including volunteering with the Special Olympics and organizing events for children with special needs.
    — 7News WJLA, Baltimore Sun, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Men and women can both still volunteer, and the remaining places will be filled by a gender-neutral draft lottery.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of volunteer
Verb
  • Fox News’ Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Information for this article was contributed by Audrey McAvoy, Darlene Superville and Julie Walker of The New York Times.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of contribute
Verb
  • Meanwhile, Ishii said the council is focused on filling the five Police Accountability Board vacancies and finding Aguilar’s replacement, finalizing the board’s regulations, giving both oversight entities the necessary tools to succeed and restoring belief in the oversight process.
    — Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
  • McVay said the team would give the players time to digest the season and decide what might be next.
    — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of give

Browse Nearby Words

don
donate
donated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Donate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/donate. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on donate

Nglish: Translation of donate for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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