vouchsafe

Definition of vouchsafenext

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb vouchsafe contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of vouchsafe are accord, award, concede, and grant. While all these words mean "to give as a favor or a right," vouchsafe implies granting something as a courtesy or an act of gracious condescension.

vouchsafed the secret to only a few chosen disciples

When can accord be used instead of vouchsafe?

While the synonyms accord and vouchsafe are close in meaning, accord implies giving to another what is due or proper.

accorded all the honors befitting a head of state

When is award a more appropriate choice than vouchsafe?

Although the words award and vouchsafe have much in common, award implies giving what is deserved or merited usually after a careful weighing of pertinent factors.

awarded the company a huge defense contract

In what contexts can concede take the place of vouchsafe?

The synonyms concede and vouchsafe are sometimes interchangeable, but concede implies yielding something reluctantly in response to a rightful or compelling claim.

even her critics concede she can be charming

When might grant be a better fit than vouchsafe?

In some situations, the words grant and vouchsafe are roughly equivalent. However, grant implies giving to a claimant or petitioner something that could be withheld.

granted them a new hearing

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of vouchsafe Anthropic’s founders adopted a special corporate structure to vouchsafe their integrity. Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026 Democracy is a fragile achievement, a perpetual work in progress, not the sort of thing that can be vouchsafed by a trend line — and certainly not the sort of thing that technology automatically generates. Becca Rothfeld, Washington Post, 26 June 2024 That’s why Phony Wars speaks to us in codes, an artist vouchsafing his feelings and intentions. Armond White, National Review, 29 Sep. 2023 Consider a test-tube example, almost ordered up to make the court’s case for it, vouchsafed by California just a few weeks ago. Holman W. Jenkins, WSJ, 6 July 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vouchsafe
Verb
  • Before the vote on the moratorium, Eagle pointed out that Hood County has special protections under a section of the Local Government Code, subchapter 231K, which grants special protection of the Brazos River watershed, which is entirely in Hood County.
    Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Feb. 2026
  • On Monday, Graf granted a request from a coalition of news organizations including the Associated Press to allow attorneys for the media to view defense requests to classify documents in the case.
    Hannah Schoenbaum, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Freese had eight clean sheets in 31 starts last season on his way to the award.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
  • Crew chief Bill Miller had an earpiece and was in communication with stadium operations, who informed him that there was no danger.
    Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • But because of the area’s shortage of medical specialists, the New Mexico Human Services Department requested a waiver on his behalf that permitted him to resume practice and continue treating cancer patients as the only oncologist in all of Luna County, a remote rural region.
    Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
  • More than 20 states currently have agreements with the agency permitting them to do so; Landry, the Louisiana Secretary of State, highlighted that SAVE had been used in her state’s ongoing investigation.
    Connor Greene, Time, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Instead, their buffer is only four and their remarkable defensive record is ever-so-slightly less remarkable, with seven goals conceded in 23 league games.
    Jack Lang, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
  • In the nineteenth century, travel to remote frontiers beyond the reach of telegraph had insulated Britain’s men on the spot from London’s authority, conceding them the freedom to seize new territory.
    Alfred McCoy, Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Even though Draymond Green sat out against the Grizzlies with a back injury, the offense did not seem to suffer early on.
    Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2026
  • The woman suffered first and second-degree burns to her face, hair and back, firefighters say.
    Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Vouchsafe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vouchsafe. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on vouchsafe

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster