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
  • Exteriority is brought to the fore, and Liden’s appearance—that quiet guise of androgynous anonymity—grants her a particular freedom of movement that extends to the beholder.
    Erika Landström, Artforum, 2 June 2026
  • In the felony battery case, the court later granted Jimenez’s request to participate in the mental health diversion program despite the prosecutor’s objections, Gire said Monday.
    Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 2 June 2026
Verb
  • For families This is a rather adult hotel, though parents traveling with kids should look into the apartments—the two-bedroom options all have two single beds in the smaller rooms.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 June 2026
  • Firefighters had to cut open the metal drop box to extinguish the fire, and numerous ballots inside were damaged, some charred beyond recognition.
    Jasmine Mendez Follow, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
Verb
  • The opening salvo of the assault is intended to distract the Russians and permit four other robots to get behind enemy lines.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
  • Basically, no matter how soap-y the show gets, Akerman permits the audience to buy into and sincerely enjoy the Hunting Wives ridiculousness.
    Joe Reid, Vulture, 29 May 2026
Verb
  • Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, the only other major Republican candidate, had not yet conceded as of Thursday morning.
    Austin Turner, CBS News, 4 June 2026
  • Part of what fascinates and frustrates as regards Ginsberg is that for all of those thick anthologies, propriety forces me to concede that many of the poems simply aren’t that good.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
Verb
  • The second quarter was eventful, with Jalen Brunson seemingly suffering multiple injuries only to go on an 8-0 run by himself.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 4 June 2026
  • The New York Knicks held their collective breath during the first quarter of Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday night after All-Star guard Jalen Brunson suffered an injury scare against the San Antonio Spurs.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 4 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Vouchsafe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vouchsafe. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.

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