enable

verb

en·able | \ i-ˈnā-bəl

enabled; enabling\ i-ˈnā-b(ə-)liŋ

Definition of enable

transitive verb

1a : to provide with the means or opportunity training that enables people to earn a living

b : to make possible, practical, or easy a deal that would enable passage of a new law

c : to cause to operate software that enables the keyboard

2 : to give legal power, capacity, or sanction to a law enabling admission of a state

Synonyms & Antonyms Enabling: The Behavior of an Enabler More Example Sentences Learn More about enable

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Synonyms & Antonyms for enable

Synonyms

allow, empower, let, permit

Antonyms

prevent

Enabling: The Behavior of an Enabler

Enable has a number of senses, most of which are some variant on allowing someone (or something, such as enabling cookies on a computer) to do something. In the past several decades, enable has also started to take on a new associated sense in the field of addiction studies, where enabling is viewed as giving misguided support to a person with some substance-abuse issue. A person who facilitates the self-destructive behavior of another is referred to as an enabler.

Examples of enable in a Sentence

The machine enables us to create copies without losing quality. The system enables students to access class materials online. These choices are part of what enabled the company to be successful. a filing system that enables easy access to information Be sure to enable your computer's firewall.

Recent Examples on the Web

Standing on one leg also enables the other one to warm up tucked against the body. — Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, "Here's How Birds Stay Warm in the Winter, In Case You Were Wondering," 1 Feb. 2019 As Security Research Labs explained in their study, obtaining a PNR, even on Instagram, enables a hacker to do any of the things that Rotem managed to accomplish, like steal flights and frequent flier miles. — Sam Blum, Popular Mechanics, "A Hacker Exposed the Ancient Flaw That Makes Airlines So Hackable," 17 Jan. 2019 Update: Adaptive Sync is only being enabled on GTX 10-series and RTX 20-series graphics cards as well, with no plans to activate it in older GPUs. — Brad Chacos, PCWorld, "Nvidia driver unlocks FreeSync monitor support for GeForce graphics cards," 15 Jan. 2019 Target is enabling late-stage shopping habits with free two-day shipping for select items guaranteed to arrive by December 24. — Leah Prinzivalli, SELF, "7 Last-Minute Fitness Gifts You Can Order From Target to Still Arrive by Christmas," 20 Dec. 2018 To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video WATCH Ars Live #26: Oakland’s Revolutionary Approach to Privacy Share Tweet Email More... — Cyrus Farivar, Ars Technica, "How Oakland sets the new standard for meaningful police tech oversight," 2 Oct. 2018 That enables riders with mobility impairment to be able to take these anywhere a pedestrian is allowed to walk—including local parks, state parks, and nature trails. — Charlie Lapastora, Fox News, "ATV 'wheelchairs' allow people with mobility issues to go off-roading," 27 Sep. 2018 Support for an artist's work and ensuing continued fame enables predators to skirt the law. — Alexis Jones, Marie Claire, "R. Kelly Docuseries Reminds Us That Not All Stories of Sexual Assault Are Treated Equally," 11 Jan. 2019 The true benefit lies in enabling bioengineers to build more complicated and sophisticated nano machines that can be reconfigured at will. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "Caltech scientists use DNA tiles to play tic-tac-toe at the nanoscale," 29 Dec. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'enable.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.