donate

verb

ˈdō-ˌnāt How to pronounce donate (audio)
Definition of donatenext
as in to volunteer
to make a present of we plan to donate all the profits from the rummage sale to charity

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb donate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of donate are afford, bestow, confer, give, and present. While all these words mean "to convey to another as a possession," donate is likely to imply a publicized giving (as to charity).

donate a piano to the orphanage

When is it sensible to use afford instead of donate?

The synonyms afford and donate are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 could bestow be used to replace donate?

While the synonyms bestow and donate 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 would confer be a good substitute for donate?

The meanings of confer and donate largely overlap; however, confer implies a gracious giving (as of a favor or honor).

confer an honorary degree

When might give be a better fit than donate?

In some situations, the words give and donate are roughly equivalent. However, 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

Where would present be a reasonable alternative to donate?

Although the words present and donate have much in common, 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 donate Consider selling it on Facebook Marketplace or donating at your local Goodwill. —Lauren Jones, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2025 The fundraiser features a live and silent auction of fine art, furniture and jewelry donated by San Diego artists. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025 Now, 10 years after its grants and programming launched, the organization will celebrate by donating 10,000 titles to schools and libraries across the country. —Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2025 The geologist extracted the rock before the area was slated for mining, and donated it to Bioela State High School where his wife taught. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for donate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for donate
  1. volunteer
  2. contribute
  3. give
Verb
  • Try volunteering at a soup kitchen, that should help.
    — Katie Rife, IndieWire, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Additionally, people have been volunteering to retire early, and an LGBTQ+ employee resource group has been nixed, sources said.
    — Maria Curi, Axios, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of volunteer
Verb
  • Nadeen Ebrahim, Allegra Goodwin and Frankie Vetch contributed to this story.
    — Mostafa Salem, CNN, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Providing Daily Exercise and Play Time Dr. Preston Turano, veterinarian and spokesperson at Felix Cat Insurance, told Newsweek that daily exercise and playtime are a very important part of contributing to your cat's physical and mental well-being.
    — William Lambers, Newsweek, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of contribute
Verb
  • Even the historically bad White Sox can't justify giving Gallo an opportunity to continue hitting.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Glover made double bogey at the 15th, chipped in for eagle at 16, then gave it right back with another double at the infamous 17th hole.
    — Justin Ray, The Athletic, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of give

Browse Nearby Words

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donate
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Cite this Entry

“Donate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/donate. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of donate for Spanish Speakers

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