vouchsafe

verb

Definition of vouchsafenext
as in to grant
formal + old-fashioned to give (something) to someone as a promise or a privilege He vouchsafed the secret to only a few chosen disciples.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
  1. grant
  2. have
  3. concede
  4. permit
  5. suffer
  6. sanction
Verb
  • Schools were supposed to spend the last of the relief by January but many sought, and were granted, more time.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The judge had earlier granted a temporary restraining order that prevented Sony from taking over distribution.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of grant
Verb
  • Devil May Cry has this raw, untamed cool that most video games can’t touch.
    — Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Downsides While apple cider vinegar has potential benefits, taking it before bed can have some downsides.
    — Johna Burdeos, Health, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of have
Verb
  • Deputy Latah County Prosecutor Ashley Jennings also flat out denied Taylor's accusations that prosecutors were slow-walking discovery and said everything the defense has asked for has been provided, a point that Taylor conceded in front of the judge.
    — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • His interrogator conceded that the police must have gotten the wrong guy and released him within weeks.
    — Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of concede
Verb
  • Under former trade agreements, China committed to releasing 34 foreign films per year under revenue-share terms, with overseas studios permitted to a 25 percent share of ticket sales.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The Court does not express an opinion on whether the Alien Enemies Act actually permits Trump to deport anyone.
    — Ian Millhiser, Vox, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of permit
Verb
  • Americans who use the stock market to save for retirement and college suffered days of angst.
    — Time, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Affirm, which specializes in allowing consumers to buy now and pay later, could suffer if consumers pull back spending when the pause is lifted as a result of tariffs causing prices to rise.
    — MacKenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of suffer
Verb
  • Wilson's refusal to face the trans athlete came on Friday in Nashville, Tennessee, at the MVP Music City Open, which is an event that is officially sanctioned by the Disc Golf Pro Tour and the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA).
    — Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • The tournament at the University of Maryland’s College Park campus was sanctioned by USA Fencing and had no involvement from the NCAA.
    — Andy Rose, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of sanction

Browse Nearby Words

vouching (for)
vouchsafe
vouchsafed
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Cite this Entry

“Vouchsafe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vouchsafe. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of vouchsafe for Spanish Speakers

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