bestow

verb

bi-ˈstō How to pronounce bestow (audio)
Definition of bestownext
1
as in to donate
to make a present of bestowed a new car on their son for graduation

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to accommodate
to provide with living quarters or shelter eventually the refugee family was bestowed in its own apartment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb bestow contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of bestow are afford, confer, donate, give, and present. While all these words mean "to convey to another as a possession," bestow implies the conveying of something as a gift and may suggest condescension on the part of the giver.

bestow unwanted advice

When would afford be a good substitute for bestow?

In some situations, the words afford and bestow are roughly equivalent. However, 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 is confer a more appropriate choice than bestow?

While in some cases nearly identical to bestow, confer implies a gracious giving (as of a favor or honor).

confer an honorary degree

In what contexts can donate take the place of bestow?

The meanings of donate and bestow largely overlap; however, donate is likely to imply a publicized giving (as to charity).

donate a piano to the orphanage

When is it sensible to use give instead of bestow?

While the synonyms give and bestow 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

When might present be a better fit than bestow?

The synonyms present and bestow are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 bestow The James Beard Foundation, a national nonprofit organization that celebrates American food culture, has bestowed upon our fair city a handful of semifinalist nominations. —Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 After the coronation, Prince William was bestowed with the responsibilities of being the Duke of Cornwall. —Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 1 July 2025 As the critic Parul Sehgal has argued, such fare frequently bestows dark backstories on a protagonist in order to make her personality comprehensible. —Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 29 June 2025 Although details surrounding the loss remain undisclosed, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posthumously bestowed the title of Hero of Ukraine on pilot Maksym Ustymenko, who reportedly downed seven aerial targets that night. —Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for bestow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bestow
  1. donate
  2. accommodate
  3. give
  4. house
  5. volunteer
  6. shelter
  7. provide
  8. lodge
Verb
  • The report highlights that to date, the Certified B-Corp company has donated 1,500,000 trees and reforested nine million square meters.
    — Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
  • Matthew Suarez, the CBP’s acting director of field operations in Baltimore, urged the public to donate money or time to animal shelters in a post on social media platform X.
    — Mike Snider, USA Today, 13 July 2025
Definition of donate
Verb
  • There is no requirement under HB 46, or any prior Texas law, for employers to accommodate the use of medical marijuana.
    — Alonzo Martinez, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • Guests with food allergies or dietary concerns are accommodated, too.
    — Susan B. Barnes, Travel + Leisure, 1 July 2025
Definition of accommodate
Verb
  • The ranges are sourced from quarterly tax documents, and employers must give their permission for the department to release their names.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 14 July 2025
  • After the winners were announced, the couples were given two envelopes, one of which contained the $100,000 cash prize and the other didn’t.
    — Giana Levy, Variety, 14 July 2025
Definition of give
Verb
  • The chariot housed the Deathriders in the bed of the truck.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
  • Cameras and equipment were already available, given the Arizona Capitol Television operations are housed at the Senate.
    — Mary Jo Pitzl, AZCentral.com, 13 July 2025
Definition of house
Verb
  • The public can volunteer on any or all of the days.
    — Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2025
  • The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll.
    — Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 7 July 2025
Definition of volunteer
Verb
  • Most of the victims were internally displaced people sheltering at a nearby Catholic mission, many of them women and children.
    — Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 10 July 2025
  • If the sky becomes threatening and thunder can be heard, find a safe place to shelter.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 10 July 2025
Definition of shelter
Verb
  • The village’s economic incentive award program provides financial assistance to eligible new or expanding businesses in the downtown tax increment financing district.
    — Linda Girardi, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2025
  • Dobbins, just signed last month, got a one-year deal to come in, be a veteran presence in the room and provide juice both in the running game and as a pass protector.
    — Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 13 July 2025
Definition of provide
Verb
  • According to the Better Business Bureau, 98 complaints have been lodged against Wheel Blockers in the past three years.
    — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 30 June 2025
  • United has reportedly lodged more than one offer to sign Mbuemo with the latest reporting stating a bid of over $70m was made.
    — Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Definition of lodge

Browse Nearby Words

bestirs
bestow
bestowal
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Cite this Entry

“Bestow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bestow. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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