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 In addition, the Second City, the Brooklyn comedy club, will donate 50% of proceeds from its show, Better Days with Petey DeAbreu, on March 9 at 8:30 p.m. ET to support Comic Relief US grantee partners providing relief efforts in LA. Jane Levere, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025 The global streaming event, called A Bowie Celebration: Just For One Day! took place on what would've been Bowie's 74th birthday and donated proceeds from the show to Save the Children. Marina Watts, People.com, 27 Feb. 2025 The event is free, but registration is requested, with the option to donate. Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025 For example, 80 percent of all donated hearts in recent years went to patients sick enough to be hospitalized, records show. Brian M. Rosenthal, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for donate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for donate
Verb
  • But Hoffman is already volunteering to be the Jays’ No. 1 recruiter of future free agents.
    Jayson Stark, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Two other students volunteered to say a prayer for Ava.
    Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • But despite the high cost of living, the report found that international students remain an economic force, contributing around £41.9 billion, or $53 billion, to the UK economy in 2021-2022.
    Celia Fernandez, CNBC, 25 Feb. 2025
  • As a multimedia journalist, Parshall contributes to Scientific American's podcast Science Quickly.
    Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Choosing either the Four Seasons or Boulders gives a convenient combination of accommodations, spa, food and access to four of the very best golf courses in greater Scottsdale.
    Larry Olmsted, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Then finding a solution for them, but more give them the illusion of choice.
    Sangeeta Singh-Kurtz, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Donate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/donate. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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