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
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
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
-
Jacob LaGrone, 31, who faced life in prison, was granted deferred adjudication and placed on probation for seven years.—
Sarah Bahari,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
In October 2022, Delvey was granted a $10,000 bail bond and released from jail, but was required to remain in 24-hour home confinement with electronic monitoring and no access to social media until 2024, when she was allowed to move into the home of her friend Kelly Cutrone.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Boston's David Pastrnak had an assist on Lindholm's goal to extend his scoring streak to four games, with four goals and four assists in that span.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
While past studies have shown that dairy products may have a protective effect against dementia, how specific dairy products affect cognitive health remains unclear.—
Julia Ries Wexler,
Health,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
As argued in his book Abundance, Ezra Klein explains how America's growth has been hindered by well-meaning regulations, permitting requirements, and veto points that have blocked affordable housing, infrastructure, and clean energy development.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
-
If venue personnel deem any person to be a threat, or otherwise unfit, in their sole discretion, he or she will not be permitted access and shall forfeit the prize.—
AJC.com,
AJC.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
As the situation escalated, the other Black passenger conceded and moved, but Colvin remained steadfast.—
Essence,
Essence,
15 Jan. 2026
-
The Comets’ defense aims to hold opponents under four goals per game, but has conceded five or more in each of the last four games.—
Nathan Dunn,
Kansas City Star,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Although the portion of the aircraft that first hit the water suffered severe damage and ruptured, allowing water to enter the cabin, the plane remained afloat, in part due to its partially empty fuel tanks, per Brittancia.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
-
The astronaut who suffered the medical issue (NASA is not naming the astronut due to medical privacy concerns) is in a stable condition and should not require special assistance or measures for the trip home, NASA has said.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vouchsafe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vouchsafe. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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