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
  • More interestingly, the staff begins to spread its wings when granted opportunities to report.
    Michael M. Rosen, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Hall, a part-time model who was granted immunity from prosecution, dropped out of sight.
    Josh Meyer, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The sensor handles up to 70Gs of acceleration and has a sensitivity of up to 30,000 dots per inch (DPI).
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 18 Sep. 2025
  • The remaining 10 analysts have a hold equivalent rating.
    Sean Conlon, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The department is denying student loan forgiveness to borrowers in the IBR plan who have reached the 20- or 25-year threshold for discharge, even while the department concedes that loan forgiveness is authorized under IBR and has not been blocked or enjoined by any court.
    Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • In his first big league start, Yesavage struck out nine batters in five innings while conceding just one run.
    Drew VonScio, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Halloween-style may not to be worn upon entry and in concourses but will be permitted when guests are in seats.
    Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Notably, military officials overseeing the Washington deployment declared early on that while Title 32 permits troops to make arrests, they are not authorized to do so in this case.
    Alex Horton, Arkansas Online, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Colorado River and the two reservoirs have been suffering because of a multidecade drought in the West intensified by climate change, rising demand and overuse.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 14 Sep. 2025
  • United recently endured its worst ever finish to a Premier League season and already in this campaign, Ruben Amorim’s men have suffered a humiliating League Cup defeat to fourth-division Grimsby Town despite the acquisition of expensive new forwards Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Šeško.
    Patrick Snell, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Leclerc wasn’t sanctioned because the available evidence on his leaving the track, rather than the contentious positioning, was inconclusive.
    Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
  • The United Kingdom also sanctioned 30 individuals and companies, included businesses based in China and Turkey, that have supplied Russia with electronics, chemicals, explosives and other weapons components.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Vouchsafe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vouchsafe. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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