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.
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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
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
-
The county issued a permanent custody order after a hearing in September 2021, granting McKnight sole legal and physical custody of the children.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Apr. 2026
-
On Monday, the deadline, Immigration and Customs Enforcement granted her permission to reenter.—
Mathew Miranda
Updated March 31,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Kings never had the defensive activity to disrupt them much.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
30 Mar. 2026
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Political experts have also pointed out that Proposition 50 passed with a wide margin, with 64% of of voters approving the measure, so the investigation wouldn't have any impact on the results.—
Laurie Perez,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The case focuses specifically on Maryland’s ability to block Kalshi from offering sports-event contracts in the state -– such as whether the Orioles will win the American League East division —that Maryland says amount to rogue sports bets not permitted by its law.—
Jeff Barker,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Apr. 2026
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As for the Yankees, Will Warren, Ryan Weathers and Max Fried will look to continue the dominance of a rotation that has only permitted two runs through six games.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Kings have a -22 scoring differential, with 193 total goals scored and 215 conceded.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
What remains unknown is what Cuban officials are prepared to concede or change in exchange for the loosening of restrictions.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Hilda Lorena Cifuentes Cifuentes family photo Cifuentes suffered extensive injuries to her face, arms, legs and abdomen, along with head trauma.—
Tori Mason,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The Ducks played without their leading goal scorer, Cutter Gauthier, who suffered an upper-body injury in Monday night's 5-4 loss to Toronto.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vouchsafe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vouchsafe. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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