bestow

verb

bi-ˈstō How to pronounce bestow (audio)
Definition of bestownext
1
as in to donate
to make a present of bestowed a new car on their son for graduation

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to accommodate
to provide with living quarters or shelter eventually the refugee family was bestowed in its own apartment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb bestow contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of bestow are afford, confer, donate, give, and present. While all these words mean "to convey to another as a possession," bestow implies the conveying of something as a gift and may suggest condescension on the part of the giver.

bestow unwanted advice

When would afford be a good substitute for bestow?

In some situations, the words afford and bestow are roughly equivalent. However, 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 is confer a more appropriate choice than bestow?

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

confer an honorary degree

In what contexts can donate take the place of bestow?

The meanings of donate and bestow largely overlap; however, donate is likely to imply a publicized giving (as to charity).

donate a piano to the orphanage

When is it sensible to use give instead of bestow?

While the synonyms give and bestow 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

When might present be a better fit than bestow?

The synonyms present and bestow are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 bestow There's never a wrong time to bestow someone with a lei, Estes says. —Jonathan Vigliotti, CBS News, 18 May 2025 Kate has worn the earrings in tribute to Diana on multiple occasions since having been bestowed them some time around 2017. —Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 8 May 2025 Court will be back in session May 9, and that's when the court will likely determine who will be bestowed the power of convicting – or acquitting – the former hip-hop icon. —Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 7 May 2025 The big picture: The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation bestowed the honor on Pence for resisting pressure from President Trump and others to not certify former President Biden's 2020 election win following the attack on the U.S. Capitol. —Rebecca Falconer, Axios, 4 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for bestow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bestow
  1. donate
  2. accommodate
  3. give
  4. house
  5. volunteer
  6. shelter
  7. provide
  8. lodge
Verb
  • 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
  • All proceeds will be donated to the Roger Federer Foundation.
    — Alexandra Pastore, Footwear News, 26 May 2025
Definition of donate
Verb
  • Each block is meant to accommodate a building with ground-floor storefronts topped by either residential units or office space and each with its own parking structure.
    — Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2025
  • Bleacher capacity will increase from 1,886 people to 2,750 to accommodate larger crowds for football games, future graduation ceremonies and band competitions.
    — Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 28 May 2025
Definition of accommodate
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
  • Bluey is being given a German spin with a dose of star power.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 27 May 2025
Definition of give
Verb
  • Don’t miss the Barnes & Noble, which is cleverly housed in an old theater, Ante Bellums Attic Antique Shop, and Firefly Boutique for women’s clothing.
    — Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 26 May 2025
  • Since 1998, the collection has grown to over 100,000 letters, which is now housed at Chapman University.
    — Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 26 May 2025
Definition of house
Verb
  • Derek Condit, author of The Natural Beekeeper's Path: Treatment-Free Practices for a Living World, volunteered to help collect the bees.
    — Escher Walcott, People.com, 31 May 2025
  • My company, Reboot Partners, will be volunteering to help advance these initiatives with governments and the private sector.
    — Dean DeBiase, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Definition of volunteer
Verb
  • If the sky becomes threatening and thunder can be heard, find a safe place to shelter.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2025
  • Despite having sheltered a baby trafficked from Brazil, Dias is not being investigated in Portugal.
    — Allan de Abreu, The Dial, 3 June 2025
Definition of shelter
Verb
  • The spiral layer also provides a deeper exfoliation that scrapes off dead cells, resulting in smoother, silkier skin.
    — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 May 2025
  • Marietta, a 142-officer department, provides other services to help cops deal with the stressors of the job.
    — Katja Ridderbusch, NPR, 26 May 2025
Definition of provide
Verb
  • The man targeted still has bullet bits lodged in his chest, Brown said.
    — Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025
  • First responders found a vehicle lodged in the roof.
    — PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2025
Definition of lodge

Browse Nearby Words

bestirs
bestow
bestowal
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bestow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bestow. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.

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