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 hobbyist, Glenn Manning, reported his finds to the government, and they were subsequently donated to the local Corinium Museum in Cirencester. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2025 Since its launch, the company has donated more than $600 million to charity. —Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2025 Most of the brains donated to BU have been from former athletes who showed clear signs of CTE. —Christopher Kamrani, New York Times, 24 July 2025 Matthew Suarez, the CBP’s acting director of field operations in Baltimore, urged the public to donate money or time to animal shelters in a post on social media platform X. —Mike Snider, USA Today, 13 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for donate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for donate
  1. volunteer
  2. contribute
  3. give
Verb
  • If folks will volunteer, it can be composed of two- or three-member teams of neighbors patrolling, if possible, at the approximate times these crimes are occurring.
    — Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 18 July 2025
  • Ader, who began volunteering nine years ago, started by donating items and later decided to become more hands-on.
    — Ava Nightingale, Freep.com, 18 July 2025
Definition of volunteer
Verb
  • That’s how the complicated doctrine of felony murder works: Plenty of people are locked up in America for being present or even waiting outside in the getaway car, serving the same time as the ones who pull the trigger, and these massive sentences contribute to mass incarceration.
    — John J. Lennon, Rolling Stone, 19 July 2025
  • The poll also found 29% stopped contributing to savings, 24% delayed paying other bills, and 15% skipped personal medical care.
    — Rachel Barber, USA Today, 19 July 2025
Definition of contribute
Verb
  • Samsung has given Harman access to a wide array of technologies beyond traditional audio, including instrument panels and driver monitoring.
    — Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 27 July 2025
  • His cameo in Rocky III gave wrestling mainstream attention, along with his cartoon called Hulk Hogan’s Rock 'n’ Wrestling, which was broadcast on Saturday mornings in the mid-1980s.
    — Mark LaSota, Forbes.com, 27 July 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 30 Jul. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of donate for Spanish Speakers

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