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As rhyming synonyms, proffer and offer are quite the pair, and we can proffer an explanation as to why: both come ultimately from Latin offerre, meaning “to present, tender, proffer, offer.” Offer had been part of the language for hundreds of years before proffer was adopted by way of an Anglo-French intermediary in the 14th century. A more formal word than its plainer relation, proffer often emphasizes courteousness on the part of the one doing the tendering.
Synonyms
Examples of proffer in a Sentence
Molly Peck, USA TODAY, 27 Mar. 2024
Milk Chocolate Spring Flowers Easter Egg, £38.50, Bettys (350 grams)
The Yorkshire tea room and patisserie has proffered high-end sweets for more than 100 years.
—Helen Chandler-Wilde, Fortune Europe, 22 Mar. 2024
Having access to machines that could proffer information about my internal well-being was one of the most astonishing parts of being at Sha.
—Hannah Selinger, Travel + Leisure, 20 Mar. 2024
Christian nationalists proffer that the U.S. has been and always should be Christian, from the top to the people, according to the group Christians Against Christian Nationalism.
—Lourdes Hurtado, NBC News, 11 Mar. 2024
And the Yountville Art Walk proffers a stroll-worthy, year-round display of 38 outdoor sculptures by artists from around the world.
—Nora Heston Tarte, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2024
Nonetheless, two predictions: President Biden won’t proffer a comprehensive plan to address the federal debt.
—Amity Shlaes, National Review, 7 Mar. 2024
This article proffers twelve considerations for a digital talent management strategy.
—Mark A. Cohen, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
Some travelers, despite previously opting into the program, still proffered identification, only for the officer to wave it away.
—Christine Chung, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2024
Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 21 Mar. 2024
McDonald's office will release the proffer agreements in an effort to be transparent with the public.
—Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 23 Mar. 2024
The government makes no representation about the likelihood that any additional agreement will be reached as a result of the proffer.
—Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 21 Mar. 2024
What remains unclear is when Las Vegas police learned of the proffer’s existence and substance.
—John L. Smith, Rolling Stone, 25 Jan. 2024
The proffer information could not be used to charge Davis, but his statements since were part of the evidence presented to the grand jury this year.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2024
Watkins was required to approve transactions of employees who had those cards, according to the proffer.
—Nicole Asbury, Washington Post, 30 June 2023
The proximity of the general election would create stronger incentives for Harris or any other disappointed loser to accept a behind-the-scenes proffer and fall in line if the convention battle doesn’t go their way.
—Ross Douthat, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2024
The drugged soldiers stumbled and had difficulty keeping their balance, the court proffer read.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'proffer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Verb
Middle English profren, from Anglo-French profrer, proffrir, porofrir, from por- forth (from Latin pro-) + offrir to offer — more at pro-
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing proffer
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Dictionary Entries Near proffer
Cite this Entry
“Proffer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proffer. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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proffer
verb
More from Merriam-Webster on proffer
Nglish: Translation of proffer for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of proffer for Arabic Speakers
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