How to Use bestow in a Sentence

bestow

verb
  • The university bestowed on her an honorary degree.
  • That’s a gift that’s earned as much as it is bestowed.
    Jared Weiss, New York Times, 10 June 2026
  • Selznick wanted to bestow his young film star with a new name.
    Devin Kelly, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2020
  • That said, some couples still choose to bestow the ring in their own way.
    Brittany Loggins, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2023
  • The honors are bestowed by the King.
    Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 30 Dec. 2025
  • She's begun bestowing each month of the year with a new theme.
    Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026
  • Blessings will be bestowed on those who have been genuine in their souls.
    Essence, 4 Mar. 2024
  • That’s enough for now to bestow benefit of doubt.
    Greg Cote april 26, Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
  • While the crown is bestowed on the heads of both men and women, tiaras are worn by the latter.
    Isiah Magsino, Town & Country, 6 May 2023
  • The judges bestowed her highest scores of the season, all 9s!
    Katie Campione, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2025
  • There's never a wrong time to bestow someone with a lei, Estes says.
    Jonathan Vigliotti, CBS News, 18 May 2025
  • Her voice is one of the greatest gifts from God any singer has ever been bestowed with.
    Scott Huver, CNN, 13 Sep. 2019
  • It has often been bestowed on great politicians over activists.
    David Smilde, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Ronald Rivest sports a white beard, smiles with his eyes and bestows his tech gifts on the people of the world.
    Quanta Magazine, 12 Mar. 2020
  • And 2022 feels as fitting a time as any to bestow the world with some good news.
    Amy MacKelden, ELLE, 16 Nov. 2022
  • And her alleged horse is not even on the outside for all to admire and from which to bestow a royal wave.
    Dewayne Bevil, orlandosentinel.com, 3 Nov. 2021
  • Summer bestows a bounty of gifts upon the South, but those gifts can come at a painful price.
    Josh Miller, Southern Living, 28 July 2024
  • There's just you, a link, and the vague hope that Yeezus himself will bestow upon thee a pair of fire kicks.
    Jake Woolf, GQ, 6 Mar. 2018
  • And went all out on my quads and calves to tackle the post-workout soreness my new program had bestowed to me.
    Talene Appleton, Men's Health, 7 Aug. 2023
  • The 63-year-old actor is no stranger to having awards bestowed upon him.
    Ruth Kinane, EW.com, 24 Sep. 2019
  • In fact, sometimes, the peace prize is seemingly bestowed as a sign of approval for a break from the past.
    David Smilde, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Putting his hand on the young man’s head, Washington bestowed his blessing.
    John Swansburg, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Goodspeed has bestowed the award since 1981, though not every year.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Note that the song begins with the words kamah ma’alot tovot — how many good favors has God bestowed upon us.
    Rabbi Avi Weiss, Sun Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2023
  • Note that the song begins with the words kamah ma'alot tovot — how many good favors has God bestowed upon us.
    Rabbi Avi Weiss, Jewish Journal, 2 Apr. 2018
  • The nickname was bestowed at an early age, a testament to his slender build.
    Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
  • Beyond some big moments on the field, Beckham has bestowed his wisdom and set the tone.
    Brian Wacker, Baltimore Sun, 3 Jan. 2024
  • The honor has been bestowed on unsung heroes over the years in Tillman’s name.
    Ray Sanchez, CNN, 11 July 2024
  • When Rocket bestows Thor with a new eye, Thor is able to see a way forward.
    Richard Newby, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 May 2018
  • The treaty’s terms illustrate the importance bestowed on the shawls.
    H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 6 Aug. 2025

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bestow.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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