present 1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈpre-zᵊnt How to pronounce present (audio)
Definition of presentnext
as in gift
something given to someone without expectation of a return an impressive array of presents for the bride and groom

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

present

2 of 4

noun (2)

ˈpre-zᵊnt How to pronounce present (audio)
as in today
the time currently existing or in progress I cannot talk to you at present, but perhaps in a few minutes

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

present

3 of 4

adjective

ˈpre-zᵊnt How to pronounce present (audio)
1
as in current
existing or in progress right now I am very busy at the present moment

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2
as in attending
being within the confines of a specified place all of you are required to be present for every meeting

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present

4 of 4

verb

pri-ˈzent How to pronounce present (audio)
1
as in to offer
to bring before the public in performance or exhibition we will present a performance of Our Town tomorrow evening

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2
as in to introduce
to make (one person) known (to another) socially may I present my niece Sarah?

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3
as in to donate
to make a present of the company presented a gold watch to him on the occasion of his retirement

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb present contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of present are afford, bestow, confer, donate, and give. While all these words mean "to convey to another as a possession," present carries a note of formality and ceremony.

present an award

In what contexts can afford take the place of present?

The words afford and present are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 might bestow be a better fit than present?

While in some cases nearly identical to present, bestow implies the conveying of something as a gift and may suggest condescension on the part of the giver.

bestow unwanted advice

When is it sensible to use confer instead of present?

In some situations, the words confer and present are roughly equivalent. However, confer implies a gracious giving (as of a favor or honor).

confer an honorary degree

Where would donate be a reasonable alternative to present?

The synonyms donate and present are sometimes interchangeable, but donate is likely to imply a publicized giving (as to charity).

donate a piano to the orphanage

When could give be used to replace present?

While the synonyms give and present are close in meaning, 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

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 present
Noun
Shaped like ice cream cones, presents, rainbows, and balloons, these butter cookies taste like birthday cake with festive rainbow sprinkles throughout. —Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 6 Feb. 2026 Like a Shakespearean grand character, he is haunted by ghosts of his past while pursuing an almost impossible endeavor in his present. —Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Some of the monks, including Pannakara, have walked barefoot or in socks for most of the journey to feel the ground directly and be present in the moment. —CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026 Things moved about at the top with a little more arrogance and zip but at the bottom was the ever-moving present. —Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
Prosecutors presented surveillance video from the day of the fatal shooting at the family's hair salon in northwest Miami-Dade. —Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026 Developer Scott Gibbel had initially presented plans for three buildings on the site, but, following mixed reviews from commissioners at a meeting in December, the proposal was revised, with a 218,700 square-foot structure divided into two separate buildings. —Jennifer Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for present
Recent Examples of Synonyms for present
  1. current
  2. offer
  3. introduce
  4. donate
  5. ongoing
  6. available
  7. give
  8. volunteer
Adjective
  • To transmit more power, there are two ways – either a larger hose (thicker cables and higher current) or higher pressure (higher voltage).
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 12 Feb. 2026
  • The new store will create 17 additional jobs and will relocate 12 current employees to the new location.
    — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of current
Verb
  • Indeed, each of these three countries have sought to offer support to Cuba in recent days.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 14 Feb. 2026
  • In addition to the services offered athletes during the Games, Team USA’s travel insurance carrier covers ongoing care to athletes who sustain injuries at the Olympics that require follow-up.
    — Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of offer
Verb
  • Carolyn sneaks into a gala; Klein, the fairy godmother, introduces her to the instantly besotted prince, John.
    — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Its launch builds on the success of the Côte d’Ivoire edition, introduced in 2017, and marks the 51st international edition of Elle, owned by French publishing group Lagardère.
    — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of introduce
Verb
  • The trunk of her car is crammed with water jugs, cat food and donated Pollo Tropical bowls for feeding dishes.
    — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Outdated Electronics Some electronics are ideal for donating to thrift stores or re-use centers.
    — Kate McKenna, The Spruce, 15 Feb. 2026
Definition of donate
Adjective
  • The operation reflects ongoing Israeli military incursions in Lebanon since a ceasefire ended the 14-month Hezbollah-Israel conflict last year.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • That is true again today, with the ongoing rise of niche and indie beauty labels, as well as emerging geographic markets where domestic players are growing and are becoming competitors on the world stage.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of ongoing
Adjective
  • Armchair analysis fills the space that is created by the absence of available facts.
    — Paige Williams, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026
  • The model is only available to paying subscribers but will be available to the public soon, Kuaishou said.
    — Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of available
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
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

Phrases Containing present

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presences
present
presentable
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Cite this Entry

“Present.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/present. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on present

Nglish: Translation of present for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about present

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