donate is likely to imply a publicized giving (as to charity).
donate a piano to the orphanage
bestow implies the conveying of something as a gift and may suggest condescension on the part of the giver.
bestow unwanted advice
confer implies a gracious giving (as of a favor or honor).
confer an honorary degree
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
Example Sentences
The university bestowed on her an honorary degree. bestowed a new car on their son for graduation
Recent Examples on the WebWhat's at the heart of their argument, obviously, is Rhaenyra's lingering fear that Viserys will revoke her status as heir and bestow it on Aegon. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 5 Sep. 2022 For years the skillet lived on the top-right burner of our stove, getting the level of care and attention most people bestow on a pet. Ariella Gintzler, Outside Online, 27 July 2022 The band’s relentless blankness invites devotees, known as Directioners, to bestow on it a surfeit of meaning. Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 28 June 2022 That means the former president, who continues to bestow blessings, is almost certainly continuing to collect more money. Zach Everson, Forbes, 24 June 2022 The opportunity to bestow such praise on a teammate represented a marked change for Ohtani and the team that employs him, writes columnist Dylan Hernández. Amy Hubbard, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2022 For its sweeping repercussions, Title IX passed with little fanfare, a notable whisper nestled between two other landmark provisions meant to bestow rights to women within a 12-month period: The Equal Rights Amendment and Roe v. Wade.New York Times, 23 June 2022 Dacia designers included just enough flourishes to bestow presence, especially in our car's Terracotta Brown Metallic. Jonathon Ramsey, Car and Driver, 8 July 2022 The Good News: God is always there to bestow peace onto his followers. Martha Sorren, Woman's Day, 1 June 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from be- + stowe place — more at stow