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
  • But at a hearing in May, Judge Steele granted the state’s request for access to Woods’ prescription drug records.
    Bob Harkins, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The news comes as the reality star was due to return to court on Tuesday, after he was granted conditional bail following a report of an alleged assault.
    Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • And some of the outlook may have less to do with the immediate issues and more about life stage.
    R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Staff come from all over the globe, and have extensive top-level international hospitality experience.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Lawyers for the government had conceded that designating Anthropic as a supply chain risk didn't prevent companies from using the AI technology for other purposes.
    Joe Walsh, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Dickson himself concedes there is still much work to be done to fully rehabilitate the Gap, as well as its sister brands.
    Phil Wahba, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • If physical gestures serve our relatives just fine, why did our own branch of the family tree gradually favor biological changes in our brains and anatomy that permitted our characteristic complexities in language and precision in speech?
    Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
  • There is no official balloon season, since flights can operate throughout the year whenever conditions permit.
    Scott Campbell, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Senior quarterback Xavier Vinson suffered suffered a chin injury for Warren in the second quarter of its Week 1 loss to Loyola and watched the rest of the game from the sidelines.
    Bobby Narang, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Smith, one of the Aces’ starters and a key part of last year’s championship team, suffered a non-contact left leg injury against the Toronto Tempo on Sunday and left the game immediately.
    Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!