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 The auction price will be donated to Los Angeles wildfire relief efforts. —Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 6 Apr. 2025 While egg donation typically doesn’t involve direct contact with the resulting kids, one of the six families Pucci donated to had a different vision. —Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025 As Investopedia notes, a person with a $30,000 income isn’t likely to donate $15,000 to charity. —Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2025 In May 2019, Bell asked her followers to donate to the Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary in Mount Juliet, Tenn in honor of her birthday. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 26 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for donate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for donate
  1. volunteer
  2. contribute
  3. give
Verb
  • Craig Podolski was middle school English teacher and coach in Buffalo Grove who developed an annual service day at his school that had hundreds of youngsters volunteering in the community.
    — Bob Goldborough, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Mahdi will be strapped to a chair 15 feet from three prison employees who volunteered to be on the firing squad.
    — Jeffrey Collins, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of volunteer
Verb
  • Reporting by the Associated Press contributed to this story.
    — Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025
  • But several complications at the beginning of the session contributed to budget delays, Horman said.
    — Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of contribute
Verb
  • Delegating is about giving your employees a time to learn, to grow, to shine and to expand while also helping to lighten your load and achieve organizational goals.
    — Terina Allen, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Both the city’s ad hoc committee on the 2028 Olympic Games and the full council gave its approval this week to several venue changes, including shifting equestrian events from the Valley to Temecula.
    — Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of give

Browse Nearby Words

don
donate
donated
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Cite this Entry

“Donate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/donate. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of donate for Spanish Speakers

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