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enable

verb

i-ˈnā-bəl How to pronounce enable (audio)
Definition of enablenext
1
as in to let
to make able or possible my new glasses enable me to read the fine print

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to empower
to give official or legal power to a law that would enable the authorities to inspect food preparation areas for health code violations

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 enable For the first time as an independent producer, this support has enabled her to offer pay-or-play deals to actors. — Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 21 Sep. 2026 In this case, though, the defense bristled, forcing Indy to settle for a game-tying field goal that in turn enabled the Chiefs to prevail 33-30 on Harrison Butker’s 40-yard field goal on the last play of overtime. — Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026 The article suggests that social storytelling is what enabled us to surpass the communicative abilities of other living apes, into the rich, expressive tapestry of human language. — Hannah Little, Scientific American, 20 Sep. 2026 The plan also calls for going a step further — pushing for legislation at the state level to enable license suspension for serial recidivists. — Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 19 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for enable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enable
  1. let
  2. empower
  3. allow
  4. authorize
  5. qualify
Verb
  • The book was still a few months away from publication in Italy, and Recchia’s name wasn’t on anyone’s radar yet, so receiving the manuscript felt a little like being let in on a secret.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
  • In particular, a fast, lightweight touch-sensing system was created that lets the drone navigate without relying on sight.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of let
Verb
  • Fernández hoped that seeing the extravagance of a pre-conquest world and hearing the poetic nature of the Nahuatl language helps to empower Latinos to feel pride in and learn more about their culture.
    — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Instead of empowering reps to discount, empower them with data.
    — Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of empower
Verb
  • Also, its rolling olive oil cart, replete with its own menu describing the oils’ characteristics and origins, allows passengers to sample many.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
  • First cell lines enter trial operations Trial production will allow CATL to set up, optimize, and validate the equipment and manufacturing processes before series production begins.
    — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of allow
Verb
  • These include dynamic proton radiography, materials science, neutron scattering, and nuclear physics, all operating at a facility authorized to use hazardous materials and handle classified data.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, targets Russia’s energy sector by authorizing the president to impose up to 100% tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil and natural gas.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of authorize
Verb
  • The trial court will need to decide whether the university was legally justified in concealing and redacting certain documents and whether Abraham qualifies for attorneys' fees.
    — Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 22 Sep. 2026
  • When dollar settlement is selected, Square converts the qualifying payment into dollars.
    — Karen Koehler, Sacbee.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of qualify

Browse Nearby Words

emulsions
enable
enabled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Enable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enable. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

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