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
  • Interiors group Sanderson, which supplies fabric and wallpaper to the Royal Households, for one, was granted a new royal warrant by Kings Charles.
    Tianwei Zhang, WWD, 19 Dec. 2024
  • According to the Death Penalty Information Center, 11 innocent people have been freed from Oklahoma's death row and seven clemencies have been granted in the state.
    CBS News, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • In the meantime, while moving towards renewable energy is an overall positive, it’s had an economic cost in coal-producing regions of the United States as demand has declined.
    Alex Knapp, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
  • Meanwhile, Kate’s surprise appearance at the Wimbledon men’s singles tennis final had the center court crowd on their feet.
    Kathy Rose O'Brien and Billy Stockwell, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Hezbollah, too, withdrew its forces from Syria, and conceded that the rebel offensive there cut off routes to smuggle war matériel from Iran.
    Robin Wright, The New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2024
  • String theorists concede that daily life proceeds just fine in a three-dimensional world.
    Tom Siegfried, JSTOR Daily, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • What’s the power of a home that doesn’t need permitting?
    Jennifer Castenson, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
  • To learn more about the Christmas tree permit program and purchase a permit, visit recreation.gov/tree-permits.
    Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Those injured in the incident are between 14 and 27 years old, and eight of them suffered gunshot wounds, police said.
    Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 18 Dec. 2024
  • Technology companies rarely suffer from a lack of ideas, but how to choose the right ones is both an art and a skill.
    Aidan Connolly, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Among those sanctioned are two North Korean defense officials, No Kwang Chol and Kim Yong Bok, accused of bolstering military cooperation with Russia, including deploying thousands of troops and supervising their activities.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
  • The state does not sanction teacher certifications for those who mistreat students unless there is a criminal conviction.
    Nolan McKendry | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 16 Dec. 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 Dec. 2024.

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