vouchsafe

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 In a country created to vouchsafe the safety and liberty of a people persecuted for centuries, the security collapse remains a source of trauma and shame. David Remnick, New Yorker, 28 July 2025 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
  • Bondi, 59, intervened in a number of cases to alter the criteria for granting asylum in her role as the head of the immigration-court system, The Wall Street Journal reported.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
  • And Congress is unlikely to grant him new tariff powers after the courts just ruled that doing so unilaterally violated the separation of powers.
    Brett Erickson, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Even though Josh and Arteta have a good relationship, stemming back to when Arteta played for the club, Lewis is the conduit between the club and ownership.
    Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Brake gently as needed - Brake normally if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes and pump brakes gently if in an older vehicle.
    KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Executives concede that Toronto isn’t attracting the kind of wall-to-wall media attention that Cannes and Venice deliver.
    Brent Lang, Variety, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Baker ended up with the worst figures for an English debutant, conceding 76 runs from seven overs.
    Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Unmanned Aerial Systems with thermal imaging and infrared capability are in use and night-capable aircraft are available to support crews overnight if needed and as conditions permit.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • But permitting delays and local resistance remain obstacles.
    Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Eastern Washington quarterback medical emergency Friday night’s game was momentarily paused in the fourth quarter after Eastern Washington senior quarterback Jared Taylor suffered a medical emergency on the sideline.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 6 Sep. 2025
  • For those who will fill a sizeable chunk of the 52,769 seats on a regular basis, however, there are other, less heralded aspects to the new build that may well ensure Everton avoid the pitfalls suffered by other clubs when upping sticks from a beloved old home.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • All four individuals sanctioned by the Leagues Cup were also fined for their conduct.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Suarez, as of publication, has not yet been sanctioned by the league.
    Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Vouchsafe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vouchsafe. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on vouchsafe

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