1
as in to grant
to give the ownership or benefit of (something) formally or publicly
the British monarch continues to confer knighthood on those who are outstanding in their fields of endeavor
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to consult
to exchange viewpoints or seek advice for the purpose of finding a solution to a problem
my parents are going to confer with a financial adviser about saving for their retirement
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of confer
Rejecting the value that AI can confer simply because AI-only outputs aren’t perfect is a costly mistake—one that will only become more expensive over time.
—
Andrew Allen, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
The Criminal Investigations Division is conferring with the Garland County Prosecuting Attorney about a potential amendment to the charge.
—Steven Mross, arkansasonline.com, 21 Feb. 2025
Over time, Congress has conferred extensive regulatory authorities on administrative agencies that operate under the president’s supervision.
—Zachary Price, The Conversation, 14 Feb. 2025
Power confers a juvenile sense of self-esteem to fill philosophically empty souls.
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for confer
Andrew Allen, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
The Criminal Investigations Division is conferring with the Garland County Prosecuting Attorney about a potential amendment to the charge.
—Steven Mross, arkansasonline.com, 21 Feb. 2025
Over time, Congress has conferred extensive regulatory authorities on administrative agencies that operate under the president’s supervision.
—Zachary Price, The Conversation, 14 Feb. 2025
Power confers a juvenile sense of self-esteem to fill philosophically empty souls.
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for confer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confer
Verb
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But Congress could not override the pardons the president had granted.—
David Cason,
The Conversation,
7 Mar. 2025
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The Supreme Court's refusal to immediately grant Trump's request combined with its ruling ordering him to unfreeze the foreign aid this week indicates Barrett and Roberts are, at least to some extent, willing to side against Trump in legal challenges.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Other sources familiar with the matter who, like all consulted for this article, have been granted anonymity to protect relations, said some players were less surprised by the decision itself, but more bemused by the timing.—
Charlotte Harpur,
The Athletic,
16 Mar. 2025
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Under Canadian law, public-office holders need to divest their assets, such as stock options, either by selling them or having a trustee manage or sell them without, in this case, consulting Carney.—
Christopher Guly,
Fox News,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Macron, 47, visited the Oval Office for a Feb. 24 meeting with Trump, 78, where the two presidents discussed Russia and Ukraine's three-year war — with a focus on resolving which country is responsible financially for supplying aid to Ukraine.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
18 Mar. 2025
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Witkoff and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt suggested that U.S. and Russian officials have discussed the fate of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant — Europe's largest — in southern Ukraine.—
TIME,
TIME,
18 Mar. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Confer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confer. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
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