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
  • Nor has any death row prisoner received a commutation since Bob Graham granted one for the last time in 1983.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 23 June 2025
  • Even a former federal agent who leaked classified information to an ISIS target was granted bond, despite national security concerns and government objections.
    David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • Their most recent release, Hop, earned them the distinction of being the first artist to have their first six charting albums debut at No. 1, according to Billboard.
    Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 17 June 2025
  • Acne has two stand-alone boutiques: one on the storied Rue Saint-Honoré and one on Rue Froissart in the trendy Marais district.
    Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • At the time, the Trump Administration was attempting to negotiate a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, with terms that heavily favored Putin: Ukraine would concede all the territory that Russia had occupied and give up its effort to join NATO.
    Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 23 June 2025
  • Luckily for Boca, Auckland has conceded an average of eight goals per game in this tournament.
    Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • No one else in the courtroom was permitted to see the graphic videos.
    KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 19 June 2025
  • There’s still a lot to learn about Wuchang: Fallen Feathers - how far will upgrades and progression permit you to diversify your playstyle?
    Joshua Lamb, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • Too short and the flavors won't develop fully; too long and the texture can suffer.
    Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 22 June 2025
  • Both the motorcyclist and the officer were transported to a hospital; the motorcyclist was suffering from critical injuries, but the extent of the officer’s injuries was unknown, according to Molina.
    City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • Elliptic said that relatives of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei were linked to the exchange and that sanctioned Revolutionary Guard operatives had used Nobitex.
    Gabe Levin, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2025
  • The Thai government has officially sanctioned a budget of $1.2 billion to host a Grand Prix in the capital city of Bangkok.
    Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Vouchsafe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vouchsafe. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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