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
  • Meanwhile, a final ballot measure would grant the state auditor authority to audit the Massachusetts Legislature, an initiative spearheaded by Auditor Diana DiZoglio.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
  • The ballot measure would also grant market access to the state’s pro teams, a nice financial benefit that has buoyed franchises in other states.
    Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 5 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
  • Supporters react as Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, concedes the election during a speech at Howard University on Nov. 6, 2024, in Washington, DC.
    Julia Prodis Sulek, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
  • Harris voters are almost certain — 9 in 10 — that Trump would not concede but Harris would.
    Faith E. Pinho, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • For this vital right to be effective, election officials must be permitted to do their jobs free from improper partisan influence, physical threats, or any other conduct designed to intimidate.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Non-doms face a major tax hit The U.K.’s non-dom regime is a 200-year-old tax rule, which permits people living in the U.K., but who are domiciled elsewhere, to avoid paying tax on income and capital gains earned overseas for up to 15 years.
    Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Instead of a defining win, the Broncos suffered a crusher of a 16-14 loss here Sunday when Lutz’s 35-yard walk-off field goal attempt got blocked.
    Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024
  • From the cradle to the grave, Black Americans suffer worse health outcomes than white people.
    Kff Health News, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • In a first of its kind action, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned a decentralized application, Tornado Cash, in 2022.
    Brady Dale, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024
  • The Treasury Department recently sanctioned fourteen more Syrian and Lebanese nationals involved in the captagon trade.
    Ed Caesar, The New Yorker, 4 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 23 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on vouchsafe

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