Choosing a present synonym starts with which present you mean: the verb (show, offer, deliver), the noun (gift), or the adjective (current, in attendance). The spelling is the same, but the stress moves: we say PREsent for the gift and preSENT for the verb.
Most searches are about the verb, so it comes first. Each group below has swaps, tone notes and sample sentences, including words for presents and presenting and the opposite of present in each sense.
Swatch at a glance
Best swaps
show, offer, deliver, introduce, gift, currentPart of speech
Verb, noun and adjectiveMost formal
bestow, confer, submit, constituteMost casual
show, walk through, pitchNoun swaps
gift, token, keepsakeAntonyms
absent, missing, past, concealWatch out
Bestow and confer need an honor or title as the object, not a plain item. You confer a degree, not a box.Word forms covered
present, presents, presented, presenting
Every present synonym by sense
| Sense | Swaps | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Put before others | show, offer, submit, put forward | The group submitted its plan on time. |
| Give a talk | deliver, give, walk through | Kai will walk us through the budget. |
| Hand over | award, hand over, bestow, confer | The mayor awarded the medals. |
| Host a show or event | host, introduce, front | She hosts the morning quiz. |
| Bring a difficulty | pose, raise, create | Ice poses a risk to drivers. |
| A gift | gift, token, keepsake | A small token of thanks. |
| Here or now | current, existing, in attendance | All members were in attendance. |
From show to bestow
Our chip strip ranks the verb swaps by formality. Show is the plain everyday word. Lay out is relaxed and suits ideas or options. Put forward fits proposals in a meeting. Submit belongs to forms, essays and bids. Bestow is ceremonial and old-fashioned, used for honors and blessings.
For slides and talks, the neutral pick is deliver or give: she gave a talk on soil health.
Another word for present in meetings and class
- I will present the findings on Monday becomes I will share the findings on Monday or I will report on the findings.
- Each student must present a project becomes each student must show a project.
- Let me present our new manager becomes let me introduce our new manager.
- The plan presents some risks becomes the plan poses some risks.
- She was presented with a medal becomes she was awarded a medal.
- The data presented here becomes the data shown here.
A meeting invite reads: "Priya will present, then the team will present questions." The second present is the problem. Better: "Priya will walk us through the plan, then the team can raise questions."
Presents, presented and presenting
A presents synonym depends on the object: shows, offers or poses: the job offers a real challenge. For presented, choose shown, given, submitted or awarded, by context. For presenting, use showing, delivering or hosting: she is hosting tonight. As a plural noun, presents become gifts or, for a child, treats and goodies.
Presentation, the noun, can be a talk, a pitch, a demo or a display. The display synonyms page covers the visual sense.
The adjective: current, here, at hand
Present before a noun means current: the present system becomes the current system. After a verb it means here: was anyone present becomes was anyone there or, formally, was anyone in attendance. At hand is formal and suits a task or issue: the question at hand.
Contemporary means of our time but can also mean modern in style, so check the sentence first.
Swaps that miss the mark
Display works for objects and data, not for people you introduce. Demonstrate means showing how something works or proving a point; see demonstrate synonyms. Portray means to depict in art or writing. Donate suggests charity, not a birthday gift.
Opposites for each sense
For the adjective, the opposite of present is absent or missing (for people) and past or former (for time). For the verb in its showing sense, try conceal, hide or withhold.
- Two players were absent from practice.
- The firm withheld the full report.
Frequently asked questions
During a talk, which verbs can stand in for present?
Use share, walk through, cover or report on. For example, today I will walk you through our results sounds friendlier than today I will present our results.
Is gift or present more formal?
Gift leans slightly formal and turns up in writing and store signs. Present is warmer and more common in speech about birthdays and holidays.
Which verb means to give an award formally?
Award, confer and bestow. Confer fits degrees and titles, bestow fits honors, and award fits prizes of any kind.
Does present mean the same as now?
Only as an adjective: the present day, at present. Currently and right now are simpler swaps for at present.
Can I use show instead of present?
Usually yes, especially for data and work. Show is simpler; present sounds more formal and planned.
Which word is opposite to present?
Absent for people and past for time. For the verb, hide or withhold reverses the idea of showing.