present 1 of 4

verb

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

present

2 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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

present

3 of 4

noun (1)

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

present

4 of 4

noun (2)

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Verb
Gaudí actually worked on a big restoration project there, presented to Bishop Campins. —Miles Socha, Footwear News, 24 May 2025 Davis presented the 2025 award to one standout female director from the Cannes Short Film Competition or La Cinef selection. —Hedy Phillips, People.com, 24 May 2025
Adjective
Kids are so present and they haven't been battered by the world as much as an adult. —Nick Romano, EW.com, 23 May 2025 The photographs also show how Native peoples were present during all parts of American history. —Nathan Pugh, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 May 2025
Noun
Put another way, her perfume past does not necessarily describe her perfume present. —Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 21 May 2025 At present, consensus forecasts suggest that Intuit will report earnings per share of $10.91 on revenues of $7.56 billion for the upcoming quarter. —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for present
Recent Examples of Synonyms for present
  1. offer
  2. introduce
  3. donate
  4. current
  5. give
  6. volunteer
  7. ongoing
  8. available
Verb
  • The episode offered clarity on what happened between the two leads after Ellie (Bella Ramsey) learned what Joel did last season.
    — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 25 May 2025
  • The 1,000-square-foot retail space offers swings, slipper art, puzzles, board, storytelling moments and a matcha bar in collaboration with the Montauk General Store.
    — David Moin, Footwear News, 24 May 2025
Definition of offer
Verb
  • By introducing two obligatory pit stops, so the thinking went, teams would have to get creative with their strategy and liven up an event that has often felt too predictable of late.
    — Dan Cancian, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
  • If the states are calling for term limits Congress should have the courage to act and introduce a bill to make term limits a reality without waiting for a convention.
    — Avery Padraic Kerrigan, Hartford Courant, 26 May 2025
Definition of introduce
Verb
  • All proceeds will be donated to the Roger Federer Foundation.
    — Alexandra Pastore, Footwear News, 26 May 2025
  • Los Angeles has the highest number of homeless veterans in the country — which is surprising, since it's also got a massive, 388-acre Veterans Affairs campus that was donated in 1888 as a soldiers' home.
    — Quil Lawrence, NPR, 26 May 2025
Definition of donate
Adjective
  • Richie tells the lawman that Harry is smart, but unhappy with his current employment with Conrad.
    — Matt Cabral, EW.com, 26 May 2025
  • At first glance, the pension systems for state employees and municipal teachers almost two decades ago were in similar shape as the current ones.
    — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 25 May 2025
Definition of current
Verb
  • But there are few substitutes for availability, and no player has given more to Spurs this season than Porro.
    — Elias Burke, New York Times, 28 May 2025
  • This will give you adequate time to find the perfect viewing location and watch the sun glide between the skyscrapers.
    — Stephanie Vermillion, Outside Online, 27 May 2025
Definition of give
Verb
  • Start small by volunteering or freelancing to ease yourself back into a professional setting.
    — AllBusiness, Forbes.com, 19 May 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, 19 May 2025
Definition of volunteer
Adjective
  • China remains the hub for global electronics manufacturing, including for PC graphics cards, video game consoles, and smartphones, although companies have been moving their manufacturing to India, Vietnam and Taiwan to avoid Trump’s ongoing trade war.
    — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 29 May 2025
  • Investment bankers, who have also enjoyed plenty of fees from Vodafone over the years, will be hoping that the European Commission’s ongoing review of merger guidelines leads to further consolidation activity.
    — Ian King, CNBC, 28 May 2025
Definition of ongoing
Adjective
  • According to a report published by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) last year, total spend in the sector generated a total $421 billion and $119 billion in tax revenue in 2022, the most recent year in which full data was available.
    — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 1 June 2025
  • Though not available on all washing machines, the bulky cycle uses extra water and a lower spin speed to thoroughly soak and rinse your duvet.
    — Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 31 May 2025
Definition of available

Phrases Containing present

Browse Nearby Words

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 3 Jun. 2025.

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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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