GIVE Synonyms: 346 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'give' contrast with its synonyms?

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

Q: When is it sensible to use 'afford' instead of 'give'?

Although the words afford and give have much in common, 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

Q: When can 'bestow' be used instead of 'give'?

While the synonyms bestow and give are close in meaning, bestow implies the conveying of something as a gift and may suggest condescension on the part of the giver. // bestow unwanted advice

Q: When is 'confer' a more appropriate choice than 'give'?

While in some cases nearly identical to give , confer implies a gracious giving (as of a favor or honor). // confer an honorary degree

Q: In what contexts can 'donate' take the place of 'give'?

The synonyms donate and give are sometimes interchangeable, but donate is likely to imply a publicized giving (as to charity). // donate a piano to the orphanage

Q: When might 'present' be a better fit than 'give'?

The meanings of present and give largely overlap; however, present carries a note of formality and ceremony. // present an award

give

verb

ˈgiv

Definition of give

as in to donate

to make a present of thanked all the tutors who generously gave their time to help students after school

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to leave

to put (something) into the possession or safekeeping of another gave my camera to my father to hold while I went swimming

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to offer

to bring before the public in performance or exhibition the author will give a reading from her latest work at 7:00 p.m.

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to collapse

to fall down or in as a result of physical pressure they loaded the shopping cart with so much food it gave under all the weight

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to pay

to hand over or use up in payment I wouldn't give a nickel for such a run-down car

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to express

to make known (as an idea, emotion, or opinion) she gave her opinion on the matter very firmly and unmistakably

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to devote

to occupy (oneself) diligently or with close attention totally gave himself to his studies in the hopes of winning a scholarship for next year

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to yield

to produce as revenue a company that consistently gives $30 million in profits to the owner

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to provide

to put (something) into the possession of someone for use or consumption gave him my e-mail address

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to run by

to put before another for acceptance or consideration she gave the committee her grant proposal

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to transmit

to cause (something) to pass from one to another she gave her cold to me, and now I'm so sick that I can barely get out of bed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb give contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of give are afford, bestow, confer, donate, and present. While all these words mean "to convey to another as a possession," 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 is it sensible to use afford instead of give?

Although the words afford and give have much in common, 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 can bestow be used instead of give?

While the synonyms bestow and give are close in meaning, bestow implies the conveying of something as a gift and may suggest condescension on the part of the giver.

bestow unwanted advice

When is confer a more appropriate choice than give?

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

confer an honorary degree

In what contexts can donate take the place of give?

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

donate a piano to the orphanage

When might present be a better fit than give?

The meanings of present and give largely overlap; however, 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 give Metallurgical coal used for steelmaking was the last critical material to be given the designation in 2025. — Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026 In the final step, the duo treated the paint with heat, giving it a three-dimensional effect that matched Skarsgård’s prosthetic top. — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026 All of these possibilities have given Dark Matter an existential quality, especially this season, that has mostly tilted toward the melancholy. — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026 The judge then stayed that order until Friday to give the government time to appeal. — Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for give

Recent Examples of Synonyms for give

Verb

Governors must opt in each year for students in their state to receive scholarships, though taxpayers anywhere can donate to SGOs in participating states.

— Lara Murray-Sterzel, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
Omar has denounced the investigations as a politically motivated conspiracy against her, and used it to urge supporters to donate to her reelection campaign.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of donate

Verb

One flight last week leaving from al-Qassim airport north of Riyadh to Geneva, sold for €94,000 ($105,000), compared with a price of about €60,000 ($67,000) before the closure of the main airport in Riyadh.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
This serving tray combines natural rattan with an elevated floral pattern filled with roses and autumn leaves atop a stainless steel base.

— Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of leave

Verb

Dummy’s third full-length release tasks itself with offering an affirmation of life, spelled out in no uncertain terms through the thwack of DnB drumlines, abrasive distortion, and incisive songwriting.

— Sue Park, Pitchfork, 22 Oct. 2026
Like Kostka, Torito is committed to offering health insurance for his employees, even as his own costs rise.

— Alana Semuels, Time, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of offer

Verb

Support for the populist had eroded since 16 people were killed in 2024 when a concrete canopy collapsed at a train station in Novi Sad.

— JOVANA GEC, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Support for the right-wing populist had eroded since 16 people were killed in 2024 when a concrete canopy collapsed at a train station in Novi Sad.

— Jovana Gec, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of collapse

Verb

Having survived Auschwitz, Eger devoted her life to helping Vietnam veterans and others confront trauma, guilt and grief.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2026
Sound Moves to the Foreground Seminci also devotes a major retrospective to the role of sound in cinema.

— Emiliano de Pablos, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of devote

Verb

Two of the targets yielded catches; one of those catches yielded Mayfield’s only touchdown.

— Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 26 Oct. 2026
The conflict and resolution are also heard in how the solo verses yield the group chorus — individual voices on display, and then, collective power.

— Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of yield

Phrases Containing give

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gits

give

give a hang

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Style

“Give.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/give. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of give

verb

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Synonyms of give

verb

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Phrases Containing give

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