present 1 of 4

verb

pri-ˈzent How to pronounce present (audio)
Definition of presentnext
1
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

Relevance
2
as in to introduce
to make (one person) known (to another) socially may I present my niece Sarah?

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
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

present

2 of 4

adjective

ˈpre-zᵊnt How to pronounce present (audio)
1
as in current
existing or in progress right now I am very busy at the present moment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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

3 of 4

noun (1)

ˈpre-zᵊnt How to pronounce present (audio)
as in today
the time currently existing or in progress I cannot talk to you at present, but perhaps in a few minutes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

present

4 of 4

noun (2)

ˈpre-zᵊnt How to pronounce present (audio)
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

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
Verb
His incredibly deep legal team is now presenting a set of familiar arguments grounded in America’s commitments to free speech. —Richard M. Reinsch Ii, National Review, 6 Apr. 2025 So, the exhibition will not only present contemporary metal pieces but also vintage works, including pieces from the 1970s. —Laura May Todd, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Each time, there are fewer people present who were part of the story. —David Bezmozgis, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025 Listen to this article Two women were stabbed, one fatally, in a Bronx apartment early Sunday by the ex-boyfriend of the survivor — and two children were present during the bloody attack, police sources said. —John Annese, New York Daily News, 6 Apr. 2025
Noun
Costs for coverage, which can go up to two years at present, are carried by brands. —Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 3 Apr. 2025 At present, the carrier has a daily 12:15 a.m. flight from SFO. —Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 2 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for present
Recent Examples of Synonyms for present
  1. offer
  2. introduce
  3. donate
  4. current
  5. give
  6. volunteer
  7. ongoing
  8. available
Verb
  • Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
    — John Russell, People.com, 6 Apr. 2025
  • But one thing the fact sheet does not offer is a coherent implementation plan.
    — Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of offer
Verb
  • Rolex introduced a new collection, the Land-Dweller, and Piaget introduced a new ladies’ collection, the Sixtie.
    — Carol Besler, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Some of the members were introduced with nicknames, including Belle (who wore makeup associated with Latina stereotypes) as Lil Taco Belle, Natty as NT and Haneul as Bob Sky.
    — Jack Irvin, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of introduce
Verb
  • Support independent Black journalism by subscribing or donating here.
    — Sonari Glinton, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Those wishing to honor her memory can donate to the Camp Sloane YMCA Susan Senk Memorial Fund.
    — Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of donate
Adjective
  • Explore Billboard See latest videos, charts and news News of Cadd’s condition was shared on the afternoon of Tuesday, April 8 (Australian time), with a statement from his family revealing his current health status.
    — Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The gray wolves share physical features with dire wolves but remain genetically and behaviorally distinct due to the limits of current technology and incomplete ancient DNA.
    — John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of current
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
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
Adjective
  • The players’ union for the league on March 14 filed a grievance with the National Labor Relations Board, and ongoing negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement have failed to come to fruition.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Finding the right competitive data to deliver the highest performance gains is an ongoing process.
    — Rob Sanchez, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of ongoing
Adjective
  • The top is available in a yellow and black floral print, as well as a solid green.
    — Nicol Natale, People.com, 2 Apr. 2025
  • The Connecticut State Department of Education is actively engaging with federal partners and following all available procedures to seek project-specific extensions.
    — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of available

Phrases Containing present

Browse Nearby Words

presences
present
presentable
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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on present

Nglish: Translation of present for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about present

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