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 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 Constitutionally speaking, the main reason for having federal law enforcement is to vouchsafe interstate and international commerce. The Editors, National Review, 20 Jan. 2022 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
  • On Friday, a court granted Prayudh and Ausana bails at 1 million baht (US$30,175) each.
    Phisanu Phromchanya, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
  • It was granted an interim agreement while filming during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA actors' strike, premiering at the Zurich Film Festival last October.
    Jack Smart, People.com, 2 May 2025
Verb
  • The southeast counties of Miami-Dade and Broward had the highest number of outages at over 3,000, according to the tracking website.
    Christopher Cann, USA Today, 13 May 2025
  • Applicants must have a valid resident sportsman's hunting license or must be a holder of a lifetime sportsman's permit.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • Arteta’s team conceded from a long throw and a corner against Bournemouth.
    James McNicholas, New York Times, 3 May 2025
  • Barca was clearly fatigued at the beginning of the meeting with the Italians and conceded two early goals.
    Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
Verb
  • If time permits, disconnect utilities and appliances.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 14 May 2025
  • While prices have been falling steadily for two years now, annual permitting activity in the city, which exploded between 2019 and 2022, already started slowing down in 2024.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • Beer plays Laura, a young piano student in Berlin suffering an unspecified mental crisis at the outset of proceedings.
    Guy Lodge, Variety, 17 May 2025
  • But another furious Knicks comeback, combined with Celtics star Jayson Tatum suffering a torn Achilles, put the Knicks up 3-1 with all the momentum.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • In a sport that was first sanctioned by the CIF San Diego Section in 2002, the Islanders had hung three section championship banners coming into the season.
    Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 2025
  • Evidence leans toward violations, though X disputes some claims, saying not all accounts are directly sanctioned.
    Ashley Belanger – May 15, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Vouchsafe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vouchsafe. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on vouchsafe

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