gift 1 of 2

noun

ˈgift How to pronounce gift (audio)
Definition of giftnext
1
as in donation
something given to someone without expectation of a return gave him an unusual birthday gift

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in talent
a special and usually inborn ability has a gift for making guests feel right at home

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

gift

2 of 2

verb

as in to bless
to furnish freely or naturally with some power, quality, or attribute gifted with an uncanny ability to persuade people to do things they ordinarily wouldn't

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun gift differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of gift are aptitude, bent, faculty, genius, knack, and talent. While all these words mean "a special ability for doing something," gift often implies special favor by God or nature.

the gift of singing beautifully

When can aptitude be used instead of gift?

The words aptitude and gift can be used in similar contexts, but aptitude implies a natural liking for some activity and the likelihood of success in it.

a mechanical aptitude

How do bent and aptitude relate to one another, in the sense of gift?

Bent is nearly equal to aptitude but it stresses inclination perhaps more than specific ability.

a family with an artistic bent

Where would faculty be a reasonable alternative to gift?

In some situations, the words faculty and gift are roughly equivalent. However, faculty applies to an innate or less often acquired ability for a particular accomplishment or function.

a faculty for remembering names

When could genius be used to replace gift?

The meanings of genius and gift largely overlap; however, genius suggests impressive inborn creative ability.

has no great genius for poetry

When would knack be a good substitute for gift?

Although the words knack and gift have much in common, knack implies a comparatively minor but special ability making for ease and dexterity in performance.

the knack of getting along

In what contexts can talent take the place of gift?

The synonyms talent and gift are sometimes interchangeable, but talent suggests a marked natural ability that needs to be developed.

has enough talent to succeed

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 gift
Noun
Such is his gift: to straddle the line of comic tragedy, of elite art and systemic class inequity. —Alexandra Bregman, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025 For example, Washington Spirit owner Michele Kang gave a $30 million gift to US Soccer last fall, earmarked for girls’ and women’s programs. —Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 31 July 2025
Verb
Chipotle itself even caught wind of Ozzy’s burrito-craze, gifting him with the first-ever Celebrity Card in the same year. —Logan Holland, People.com, 30 July 2025 Netanyahu thanked Washington for its extensive support and gifted him a letter that nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. —Daniel Depetris, Twin Cities, 28 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for gift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gift
  1. donation
  2. talent
  3. bless
  4. present
  5. knack
  6. endow
  7. presentation
  8. aptitude
Noun
  • The challenge has pivoted into a nationwide fundraiser for St. Jude Hospital, and the couple celebrated $4 million donations during their stay in Michigan.
    — Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 14 July 2025
  • Stratford schools have raised $2 million in donations for the American Heart Association over time.
    — Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 13 July 2025
Definition of donation
Noun
  • He's struggled this year, in his walk year, but still has flashed his talent.
    — Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025
  • This is likely due to a lack of connection between a corporation’s strategy and that of its investment arm, not being able to hire the right talent, the challenge of finding innovative startups and inherent VC risks.
    — Anis Uzzaman, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Definition of talent
Verb
  • After all manner of hoop-jumping, though, the government finally blessed the alliance between Paramount Global and Skydance on July 23, and — barring another unexpected twist — the two will become one exactly one week from today (August 7).
    — Chris Lee, Vulture, 31 July 2025
  • So we’re really blessed that our partners see the vision.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2025
Definition of bless
Noun
  • At present, Snap has a market capitalization of $16 billion.
    — Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2025
  • At present, there is no information available on the containment of the fire.
    — CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Definition of present
Noun
  • He’s shown a knack for tracking deep flies to the warning track and even above the wall, but seems to struggle with reading balls in front of him.
    — Dan Arritt, Oc Register, 3 Aug. 2025
  • So, too, has his knack for reading when and how to eat up space so that Denver’s other talented pass rushers can get home.
    — Dianna Russini, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2025
Definition of knack
Verb
  • There are no Harvard Business School endowed chairs for deals not done.
    — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 24 July 2025
  • Abraham also donated extensively to Israeli and American universities, endowing chairs at Harvard University Medical School and Princeton University.
    — Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 14 July 2025
Definition of endow
Noun
  • This elevates the dish, giving it both a unique and refined presentation.
    — Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • Some colors even have matching tops, such as this deep chocolate color with a matching blazer for a polished look suitable for work, presentations, and more.
    — Jacquelyn Smith, Parents, 12 July 2025
Definition of presentation
Noun
  • This combination of process understanding and technical aptitude creates a powerful force for rapid, relevant application development.
    — Ed Jennings, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
  • That his tantalizing talent was matched by a preternatural aptitude.
    — Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2025
Definition of aptitude

Phrases Containing gift

Browse Nearby Words

giddy
gift
gifted
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Cite this Entry

“Gift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gift. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on gift

Nglish: Translation of gift for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gift

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