Antonyms for bestow
bɪˈstoʊbe·stow

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:2.0 / 1 vote

1. bestow

   To give is primarily to transfer to another's possession or ownership without compensation; in its secondary sense in popular use, it is to put into another's possession by any means and on any terms whatever; a buyer may say "Give me the goods, and I will give you the money;" we speak of giving answers, information, etc., and often of giving what is not agreeable to the recipient, as blows, medicine, reproof; but when there is nothing in the context to indicate the contrary, give is always understood in its primary sense; as, this book was given me. Give thus becomes, like get, a term of such general import as to be a synonym for a wide variety of words. To grant is to put into one's possession in some formal way, or by authoritative act; as, Congress grants lands to a railroad corporation. To speak of granting a favor carries a claim or concession of superiority on the part of the one by whom the grant may be made; to confer has a similar sense; as, to confer a degree or an honor; we grant a request or petition, but do not confer it. To impart is to give of that which one still, to a greater or less degree, retains; the teacher imparts instruction. To bestow is to give that of which the receiver stands in especial need; we bestow alms.

   Synonyms:
   cede, communicate, confer, deliver, furnish, give, grant, impart, supply

   Preposition:
   We give money to a person for a thing, for a purpose, etc. (or without proposition, give a person a sum of money); we give a thing to or into one's care or keeping; the weary fugitive gave himself up to his pursuers.

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:1.7 / 3 votes

1. bestow

   Antonyms:
   withhold, withdraw, reserve, alienate, transfer, appropriate, usurp, seize

   Synonyms:
   confer, give, present, award, accord, grant

Matched Categories

1. • Award
   • Change
   • Give

Princeton's WordNetRate these antonyms:4.5 / 2 votes

1. confer, bestowverb

   present

   "The university conferred a degree on its most famous former student, who never graduated"; "bestow an honor on someone"

   Synonyms:
   consult, add, lend, confab, confer, contribute, bring, confabulate, impart

2. bestowverb

   give as a gift

   Synonyms:
   add, confer, impart, lend, contribute, bring

3. lend, impart, bestow, contribute, add, bringverb

   bestow a quality on

   "Her presence lends a certain cachet to the company"; "The music added a lot to the play"; "She brings a special atmosphere to our meetings"; "This adds a light note to the program"

   Synonyms:
   supply, tot, land, get, tote up, bring in, bring, impart, pass on, add, lead, put up, take, sum, add up, conduce, fetch, channel, tot up, sum up, work, carry, give, make for, play, loan, append, institute, tally, convey, leave, conduct, confer, kick in, add together, chip in, contribute, total, summate, wreak, lend, transmit

How to use bestow in a sentence?

1. Lauren Greenfield:

   One of the insights I took from this process was that the compliments we so frequently and often unconsciously bestow on girls can actually have a negative effect and even become a source of pain and disempowerment, while counterintuitive, compliments, especially the ones related to physical appearance like 'you're so cute; you're adorable,' were perceived as limiting and oppressive, making girls feel that the expectations on them were focused on their appearance and not on their abilities or what was inside.

2. Ralph Waldo Emerson:

   I have heard with admiring submission the experience of the lady who declared that the sense of being well-dressed gives a feeling of inward tranquillity which religion is powerless to bestow.

3. Marcel Proust:

   Everything great that we know has come from neurotics never will the world be aware of how much it owes to them, nor above all what they have suffered in order to bestow their gifts on it.

4. Alireza Salehi Nejad:

   Oh, Lord, bestow me with the power, that as much as I love her, I extinguish the need of loving her within me.

5. Tricia Ferrara:

   Ensuring that children can regulate their emotions during stressful moments may be the single greatest legacy for mental health you can bestow upon them, the ability to remain connected and engaged during moments of disagreement or fear is by far the best buffering against aggressive tendencies.

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