gift 1 of 2

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
The price is comparable to competitors, plus the products are regularly on sale with free shipping and gifts. Stewart Savin, Architectural Digest, 8 July 2025 Our wedding is still 12 weeks away, but will-be attendees have already begun sending gifts to our house. Judith Martin, Mercury News, 7 July 2025
Verb
The talent was there; this team is gifted in nearly every position. Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 6 July 2025 Trump has floated the idea of adding himself to the famed South Dakota mountainside since his first term, reportedly fancying the idea so much that then-South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem gifted him an $1,100 bust of his face in the lineup during his park visit in 2020. Rachel Raposas, People.com, 5 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for gift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gift
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
Noun
  • Despite the car's issues, Verstappen's talent behind the wheel enabled him to win his fourth championship, but Perez found the car too difficult to drive.
    Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
  • Woodrow has emerged as one of the best linemen in the area, which has recently become loaded with O-line talent.
    Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Helping CMOs Aggregate, Organize and Monetize Knowledge In Marketing Actions, Conversations and Decisions Digital marketing has blessed modern marketers with a wealth of customer engagement data.
    Stephen Diorio, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
  • God bless the people who are saying these things against us.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025
Noun
  • At present, there are no longer any active nuclear treaties between the two nations who hold 87% of all warheads.
    Scott Montgomery, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
  • At present, Red Bull sits fourth in the constructors’ championship and is effectively relying solely on Verstappen for its returns.
    Luke Smith, New York Times, 10 July 2025
Noun
  • Beringer seemingly has a knack for first impressions.
    Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 11 July 2025
  • Royal Caribbean has a knack for creating ships that cater to all ages and vacation vibes, and Ovation of the Seas strikes the right balance with active all-ages fun, kid-friendly play areas, and vibrant nightlife.
    Erica Silverstein, Travel + Leisure, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • Gathegi endows a handful of terse phrases with an especially large dose of attitude.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 10 July 2025
  • The university will also require mandatory student training on antisemitism awareness and endow a chair of Jewish studies.
    CalMatters, Mercury News, 8 July 2025
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
Noun
  • The Watch 8 series also offers a 12-minute running test to gauge your current aptitude for the activity from 1 (beginner) to 10 (pro).
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 11 July 2025
  • Each drill was designed to test Beringer’s physical makeup and his aptitude for the game.
    Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 11 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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