1
as in to permit
to give permission for or to approve of
flash photography is not allowed inside the church
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to let
to give permission to
a boarding school that does not allow students to go on weekend trips without written permission
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to tolerate
to fail to prevent (some behavior on someone's part) especially from neglect or indifference
only a lazy gardener would allow the weeds to grow that high
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to admit
to accept the truth or existence of (something) usually reluctantly
I'll allow I probably said more than I should have
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to allot
to give as a share or portion
allowed each camper one match to light his fire
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to enable
to make able or possible
a patient's canceled appointment allowed the doctor to squeeze in a few extra phone calls
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in to reflect
to make a statement of one's opinion
he allowed that their new house looked very nice
Synonyms & Similar Words
8
as in to think
chiefly Southern & Midland
to have as an opinion
people in these parts allow that everyone is entitled to one mistake in life, even if it's a doozy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
as in to intend
chiefly Southern & Midland
to have in mind as a purpose or goal
I allow to go hunting before the season is over
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of allow
No European football for only the second time since English clubs were allowed back into UEFA competitions in 1990 means far fewer games.
—
Andy Mitten, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026
As the snowcrete melts and the cherry blossoms start to peek out from Tidal Basin branches, dare to allow yourself a moment of communal levity.
—Sophia Solano, Washington Post, 19 Feb. 2026
Martin explains that in addition to the anger that all the other fishermen are feeling, he feels personally betrayed by DTF because his family allowed the organization to use its business, Roland Martin Marina, as the base for its first-ever event on Lake Okeechobee.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 19 Feb. 2026
Use a high-quality brush and allow proper drying time in between coats.
—Shagun Khare, Martha Stewart, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for allow
Andy Mitten, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026
As the snowcrete melts and the cherry blossoms start to peek out from Tidal Basin branches, dare to allow yourself a moment of communal levity.
—Sophia Solano, Washington Post, 19 Feb. 2026
Martin explains that in addition to the anger that all the other fishermen are feeling, he feels personally betrayed by DTF because his family allowed the organization to use its business, Roland Martin Marina, as the base for its first-ever event on Lake Okeechobee.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 19 Feb. 2026
Use a high-quality brush and allow proper drying time in between coats.
—Shagun Khare, Martha Stewart, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for allow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for allow
Verb
-
Guide dogs and service animals are permitted.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission would lose its authority to issue licenses permitting facilities to allow simulcast dog races starting July 1, 2027.—
Stephen Gruber-Miller,
Des Moines Register,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Doug wouldn’t let his body get him down, although Lord knows his body tried.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Take your foot off the accelerator and let your speed drop gradually.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But at some public schools, the woman from Rasht said, absences aren't tolerated and students found with pellet wounds are expelled or arrested.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The filing went on to say the plaintiffs demonstrated that criminal activity indeed takes place at the Eco Motel, and that the motel’s owners are aware of and tolerate that activity.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Silver also admitted the overwhelming size of this task, given that roughly 80 countries allow betting on the NBA while billions more are wagered illegally.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Heraskevych admitted he was surprised by the strong reaction.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
UConn adjusted its ticket policy, allowing students to transfer tickets to try to get a screaming head connected to a fanny in every seat allotted by a ticket.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Michigan school districts are allotted six days that can be used to cancel school for emergency reasons including fog, snow, power outages and other emergencies.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The increasing ubiquity of K-beauty products outside Korea is also enabling a broader following.—
Kati Chitrakorn,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Decades of levees and shipping channels destroyed protective ecosystems, leaving the region vulnerable to hurricanes; the closure of a key canal is enabling restoration.—
Melina Walling,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
His films, to an extent, reflected that transatlantic residency in their freshness of perspective.—
Kevin Crust,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
-
These unheralded accomplishments reflect why Robert Isom was picked as the successor to his legendary predecessor, Doug Parker, in the first place.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Lunar rocks and soil offered novel insights into the moon’s origin and composition, and more recent analysis of previously untouched Apollo samples, as well as samples retrieved by robotic missions, revealed the surprising discovery of water trapped in rocks thought to be bone-dry.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
-
While other local luxury properties have embraced a desert-chic aesthetic (think neutral hues, sparse decor, minimalist design), Casa Cody has gone in its own direction.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Allow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allow. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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