What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
conferred
Example
The university conferred an honorary degree upon the distinguished professor. [conferred: past tense verb]
Example
The committee conferred with each other before making a final decision. [conferred: past tense verb]
Example
The king conferred a knighthood upon the brave soldier. [conferred: past tense verb]
bestow
Example
The queen bestowed a medal upon the young hero for his bravery. [bestowed: past tense verb]
Example
The company decided to bestow a bonus on its hardworking employees. [bestow: verb]
Example
The president decided to bestow the title of ambassador upon the experienced diplomat. [bestow: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bestow is more commonly used than conferred in everyday language. Bestow is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while conferred is less common and refers to a specific act of granting a degree or title.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between conferred and bestow?
Conferred is typically associated with a more formal tone, while bestow can be used in both formal and informal contexts, allowing it to be used in a wider variety of situations.
