give

v.

1. To transfer

   grant, bestow, confer, impart, present, endow, bequeath, award, dispense, subsidize, contribute, parcel out, hand out, dole out, give out, pass in, hand in, throw in, hand down, hand over, deliver, let have, tip, remit, pass down, convey, deed, sell, will, give over, make over, put into the hands of, contribute to, lavish upon, consign, negotiate, relinquish, cede, lease, accord, invest, dispose of, part with, fob off, lay upon, turn over, heap upon, transmit, settle, take delivery on, come through with, come across with, shell out, dish out, deal out, fork over, untie the purse strings, kick in, palm off.

   Antonyms maintain*, withhold*, take. *

2. To provide

   furnish, proffer, supply; see provide 1.

3. To produce

   yield, furnish, return; see produce 1.

4. To yield under pressure

   give way, retreat, collapse, fall, contract, offer no resistance, shrink, recede, open, relax, sag, bend, flex, crumble, crumple, yield, bow to.

   Antonyms resist*, remain rigid, stand firm.

5. To allot

   assign, dispense, deal; see distribute 1.

6. To inflict

   strike, deliver, mete out; see inflict 1.

7. To pass on

   communicate, transmit, transfer; see carry 2.

8. To give a speech

   deliver, present, read; see address 2.

9. To give a play

   put on, present, produce; see perform 2.

10. To administer

    minister, provide with, dispense; see administer 2.

give is the general word meaning to transfer from one's own possession to that of another; grant implies that there has been a request or an expressed desire for the thing given to grant a favor; present implies a certain formality in the giving and often connotes considerable value in the gift he presented the school with a library; donate is used especially of a giving to some philanthropic or religious cause; bestow stresses that the thing is given gratuitously and may imply condescension in the giver to bestow charity upon the poor; confer implies that the giver is a superior and that the thing given is an honor, privilege, etc. to confer a title, a college degree, etc.

what gives*