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
  • On his first day in office, President Donald Trump granted clemency to every person charged or convicted for their role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, even those convicted of violently assaulting police officers.
    Tom Dreisbach, NPR, 30 Jan. 2025
  • If someone with a certain medical condition (like Crohn’s or IBS) enters Starbucks and shows evidence of their condition, Baristas must grant them access to the restroom.
    Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • With spring training opening in 2 1/2 weeks, the Rays have only two other lefty relievers, Garrett Cleavinger and Mason Montgomery, on their 40-man roster.
    Marc Topkin, Orlando Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Globally at L’Oréal, the division had weaker performance than analysts expected at the time of its nine-month financial results ending in September 2024, as reported.
    James Manso, WWD, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Jupiter tied the match at 1-1 on Hole 6 when Boston conceded a birdie, but went behind again on Hole 10 when Woods took too long to take a shot – the first shot clock violation in TGL history – and the resulting one-stroke penalty handed the point to the Common.
    Jamie Barton, CNN, 28 Jan. 2025
  • That led to them conceding as momentum seeped away from them.
    Art de Roché, The Athletic, 25 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Millions of them file tax returns every year, paying for benefits they're not permitted to use.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 26 Jan. 2025
  • At the same time, then-President Joe Biden eased American sanctions on Syria, allowing humanitarian groups to operate in the country and permitting energy sales.
    Warren P. Strobel, arkansasonline.com, 26 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • UnitedHealth’s Change Healthcare unit suffered a data breach in February 2024, the news of which surfaced Feb. 21. Initially reported to have affected around 100 million individuals, the U.S. health insurance giant has now revealed that the actual number is significantly higher: 190 million.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 29 Jan. 2025
  • That stock has suffered steep losses, and the broader market has seesawed, since Chinese startup DeepSeek unveiled an artificial intelligence model that has seeded doubts about the U.S. approach to AI.
    Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The takeover of Goma is yet another territorial gain for the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) rebel coalition, which includes the M23 armed group – sanctioned by the United States and the United Nations.
    Nimi Princewill, CNN, 28 Jan. 2025
  • Madrid will also not sanction a January loan unless something dramatic happens.
    The Athletic UK Staff, The Athletic, 24 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 2 Feb. 2025.

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