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

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
Passover gifts for Jewish friends If you're invited to a Passover Seder or just want to give something to a Jewish friend to celebrate the holiday, websites like the Kitchn and Gift Kosher have plenty of suggestions. —Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 31 Mar. 2026 These days, balancing the press with writing is honestly a gift. —Literary Hub, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
Ureña’s errant throw on Meyers’ tapper gifted their first runner of the sixth. —Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 29 Mar. 2026 And now her husband has gifted her with an executive order that will give her a say over who collects management fees for handling potentially trillions of dollars in wealth. —Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 28 Mar. 2026 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
  • While Lentsch didn’t specify how much Protect Wyoming has raised so far, the group is gathering donations.
    — Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Their donations will be boosted by another $40,000 from the 9News Word of Thanks fund, according to an Instagram post from anchor Kyle Clark.
    — John Wenzel, Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of donation
Noun
  • Some programs have built their identity on hard coaching or amassing the most talent possible, and while Campbell isn’t soft on his players, he’s opted to create a culture of joy that’s led to TCU signing Van Lith and Miles.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Mar. 2026
  • But fans online have panned the card for lacking top talent such as former two-division champion Jon Jones, who requested his release from the UFC immediately after being excluded from the White House show.
    — Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Definition of talent
Verb
  • Because this energy is centered in Scorpio and Cancer, we’re blessed with the depth of soul needed to accept the true needs of others and ourselves.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Romance and social outings are blessed.
    — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of bless
Noun
  • What forms might emerge from our own present?
    — Daniel Birnbaum, Artforum, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Another bought birthday and holiday presents for his relatives.
    — Benjamin F. Henwood, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of present
Noun
  • Her knack for dialogue is noted by the president of the studio, who promotes her on the spot.
    — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 1 Apr. 2026
  • When a piano tuner’s extraordinary hearing reveals a knack for cracking safes, his quiet New York routine gives way to a risky life of crime—just as the possibility of love suggests another future.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of knack
Verb
  • Tommy Caldwell appears to be endowed with this quirk of courage.
    — Namir Khaliq, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Jinn endows Jung with hidden dimensions of pain and regret.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Definition of endow
Noun
  • The records include emails, internal presentations and other company documents used as exhibits in litigation, as well as court transcripts and witness testimony from depositions.
    — David Hilzenrath, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026
  • While Neural Concept and Tata Consultancy Services offered computer presentations, Tensor’s peek into the automotive future was displayed off-site with several other AI-using and varying autonomous level cars and trucks.
    — James Raia, Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2026
Definition of presentation
Noun
  • Flutie played beyond his physical abilities partly because of his aptitude.
    — Dan Pompei, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
  • What Godoy does have a great aptitude for, however, is video games.
    — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Definition of aptitude

Phrases Containing gift

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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 5 Apr. 2026.

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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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