as in to grant
formal + old-fashioned
to give (something) to someone as a promise or a privilege
He vouchsafed the secret to only a few chosen disciples.
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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
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
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The legislation would grant the NCAA a limited antitrust exemption, allowing the governing body to enforce restrictions on athlete compensation.
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For days when billowy, slightly oversized pieces sound more appealing than form-fitting ones, the Merokeety Crewneck Maxi Dress balances structure with comfort, granting optimal movement without feeling swallowed in fabric.
Verb
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Mbappé, one of two men to have a hat trick in a World Cup final, scored his 13th and 14th World Cup goals in France's 3-1 tournament-opening victory against Senegal.
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During a childhood fight, Aemond had his eye cut out by Rhaenyra’s son Lucerys and stole her family’s ferocious, powerful red dragon Vhagar.
Verb
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Recreational swimming is not permitted, yet anglers fishing for tilapia, largemouth bass and carp are a common sight along the rocky sides of the soft-bottom areas.
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The Boston southpaw didn’t permit a baserunner until Spencer Jones, who botched a ball in center field a half-inning later, singled in the sixth inning.
Verb
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While scoring goals left and right, the Dutch have also conceded a goal in every game, four in all.
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Baltimore will be getting its first female sheriff after incumbent Sam Cogen conceded to Sabrina Tapp-Harper in Maryland's primary election.
Verb
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The person had been taken to University Hospital in Columbia but later died from injuries suffered in the crash.
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The old guard of the Democratic Party suffered another body blow when three socialist congressional candidates in New York with anti-Israel platforms swept to victory, lurching the party even further to the left.
Cite this Entry
“Vouchsafe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vouchsafe. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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