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
  • At that point, Velazquez had been granted executive clemency by Governor Andrew Cuomo but more roadwork remained before him to be exonerated.
    Abigail Glasgow, TIME, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Trump granted clemency to more than 200 people during his first term, including his former national security adviser Michael Flynn.
    Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, 22 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Emma’s always on her phone, smoking, or having tea.
    Emma Soren, Vulture, 19 Nov. 2024
  • What about the things that don’t spark joy, per se, but do have some sentimental value?
    Whizy Kim, Vox, 19 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Kamala Harris conceded to Donald Trump on Wednesday.
    Joanna Allhands, The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2024
  • The Associated Press called the race for Baldwin Wednesday afternoon, though as of Thursday morning, Hovde had yet to concede.
    Madeline Heim, Journal Sentinel, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • The measure was approved by 225 votes, another outcome that could have been different if everyone at the locations were permitted to vote.
    Jolene Almendarez, The Enquirer, 22 Nov. 2024
  • The Army Corps is in charge of permitting discharge that could occur in waters of the U.S.
    Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 15 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Steen suffered from Duchenne’s disease, a form of muscular dystrophy that gets progressively worse over time.
    Cameron Koch, Rolling Stone, 23 Nov. 2024
  • Twenty-eight staff members and four inmates, including Garcia, suffered injuries ranging from cuts and bruises to a hernia and serious head trauma.
    Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • The company is already sanctioned by Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
    Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 21 Nov. 2024
  • Both China and Brazil have sought to mediate in the Ukraine war while declining to sanction fellow BRICS member Russia for its invasion.
    Greg McKenna, Fortune Asia, 20 Nov. 2024

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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 28 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on vouchsafe

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