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

Examples 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
  • Less than half of those teams were granted in-person meetings.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 18 Jan. 2025
  • In the season 2 finale, however, Principal Lee grants her request to extend her Heritage scholarship for another year, meaning that although XO, Kitty has yet to be renewed for season 3, Kitty's time at KISS isn't over just yet.
    Jordana Comiter, People.com, 18 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Sometimes, massive fires have multiple origin points, especially amid the sort of weather L.A. has experienced recently, with Santa Ana winds blowing at unusually high speeds.
    Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Even in that drive, the Broncos had a pair of rushing attempts that went for 5 yards or more.
    Joe Buscaglia, The Athletic, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Having only conceded three goals in their last nine games, and never more than once in a match, Newcastle’s previous solidity crumbled.
    Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Trump, after all, refused to concede to Biden after losing the 2020 election, trafficked in rhetoric that led to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, and declined to attend Biden’s inauguration later that month.
    Niall Stanage, The Hill, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Most Japanese stars who leave for the United States do so after 25, when they are permitted to sign a free-agent contract like Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s $325 million megadeal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
    Stephen J. Nesbitt, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025
  • The study instantly became a formal part of DOE permit proceedings that Trump would have to address, Public Citizen attorney Tyson Slocum told Axios' Ben Geman. 2.
    Ben Geman, Axios, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Both women needed emotional relief: Schiller’s husband suffered brain-damaging strokes a couple years prior, making her the family’s sole caretaker.
    Megan Sauer, CNBC, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Five weeks ago, Lions running back David Montgomery suffered what was feared to be a season-ending knee injury in a loss to the Buffalo Bills.
    Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The judge held Giuliani in contempt the week before last and sanctioned him for failing to turn over relevant documentation on time.
    Molly Crane Newman, Sun Sentinel, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Four ranchers were sanctioned with fines after investigations.
    Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 17 Jan. 2025

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Thesaurus Entries Near vouchsafe

Cite this Entry

“Vouchsafe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vouchsafe. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

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