PRESENT Synonyms: 242 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

present 1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈpre-zᵊnt

Definition of present

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

present

2 of 4

noun (2)

ˈpre-zᵊnt

as in today

the time currently existing or in progress I cannot talk to you at present, but perhaps in a few minutes

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

present

3 of 4

adjective

ˈpre-zᵊnt

as in current

existing or in progress right now I am very busy at the present moment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

4 of 4

verb

pri-ˈzent

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

as in to introduce

to make (one person) known (to another) socially may I present my niece Sarah?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

Noun

Every year, Noting’s fan community elects a community board observer, a volunteer who attends the company’s quarterly board meetings and presents customers’ views on products and launches to its directors. — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026 Much of the outline sketch that Berryman presents remains the same. — Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026

Adjective

The injured officer, Joe Lock, was present at Friday’s hearing, according to KDFW-TV reporting. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026 The findings suggest current methods may be understating the amount of PFAS present in water. — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026

Verb

The José Maria Riba Award, presented by Cinépolis Distribution and Profest 2026, bestows $14,740. — Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 24 Oct. 2026 Even if the progressive candidates Ocasio-Cortez is backing succeed on Election Day, a presidential run would present a different challenge. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for present

Recent Examples of Synonyms for present

Noun

The homeowner didn’t charge him rent, and the truck Buchanan drove was a gift, the woman told agents.

— Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Abenante-Villa’s parents buried him with gifts, including a basketball jersey and sports cards.

— Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of gift

Noun

Various solutions exist today, but one of the most common is something called a Whipple Shield.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
While the severe storm threat is less today, some storms Sunday afternoon and evening could be strong enough to produce gusty winds, isolated large hail and possible tornadoes.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of today

Adjective

Instead of relying on an external mechanical tool to move the molecule, the current itself powers the motion.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
If the current odds in all those states hold, the Democrats would win 18 out of 35 races and shift the majority from 53-47 for the Republicans to 52-48 for the Democrats.

— Shawn Tully, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of current

Adjective

The system can also help the Army pair missiles with the best available radar, even when that sensor sits outside conventional communication angles.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
Reps could not provide information on how much stock is available and for how long.

— Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of available

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

Even the afternoon’s custom table runners, made from archival fabric by FIT Menswear students, nodded to the designer’s signature ikat print, first introduced in 1983.

— Ariel Bielsky, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026
The first in the ACOTAR series, the romantasy novel introduces us to Feyre Archeron, a human woman who agrees to go live in the fairie realm of Prythian in order to save her family.

— Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of introduce

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

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presences

present

presentable

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“Present.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/present. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of present

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Synonyms of present

noun (1)

noun (2)

adjective

verb

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Phrases Containing present

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