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
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Recent Examples of allow
But when homeowners agreed, a notary would come with a multipage contract in confusing language, the AG’s office said, and the notary would pressure homeowners to sign immediately without allowing time for review.
—
Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 5 Nov. 2025
Cover plants with a floating row cover that allows light and water to reach the plant.
—Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Nov. 2025
That move, however, allowed the giant exhibitor to fully redeem all of its 2026 debt maturities.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025
The pope expressed that immigrants should be allowed to receive Communion.
—Julia Marnin, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for allow
Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 5 Nov. 2025
Cover plants with a floating row cover that allows light and water to reach the plant.
—Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Nov. 2025
That move, however, allowed the giant exhibitor to fully redeem all of its 2026 debt maturities.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025
The pope expressed that immigrants should be allowed to receive Communion.
—Julia Marnin, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for allow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for allow
Verb
-
He’s not permitted to possess firearms, explosive devices, pyrotechnics, lasers or flashlights.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
2 Nov. 2025
-
These elements might’ve felt like less of a stretch if the director’s screenplay permitted more flight into fantasy.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Roosevelt let newspaper editorials hash out the pros and cons of the voyage before making an official announcement, and the leak represented the first time congressmen (and the public) heard about the fleet’s plans to circumnavigate the globe.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Allow the sanitizing solution to sit for a few minutes before letting the cutting board air dry.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Some cold-hardy plants tolerate a few light frosts, while other crops survive short periods of freezing weather.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Eating before or with your coffee can help your stomach tolerate coffee's acidity.—
Chelsea Rae Bourgeois,
Health,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
While his girlfriend’s commitment to her studies impressed him, the man admitted that her routine had become a nightly obstacle to his rest.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
-
When the cremation center staff asked what happened, the partner admitted Aria had been killed by a larger dog.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Inspiring crowds of hundreds Per UIL, bands are allotted only eight hours of practice time outside the school day, so directors run each rehearsal with velocity and rigor to make the most of each moment.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Instead of weeks allotted for each wave of creative development, the client directed us to present new names every few days.—
Anthony Shore,
Fortune,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Rather than rob the story of its teeth, this enabled me to explore the pain, loneliness and personal demons of my characters with sympathy rather than stinging bite.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
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Advertisement On the Democratic side, Virginia’s legislature has begun the complicated process of working to amend the state constitution to enable redistricting.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
With about 90% of ballots counted, California voters passed Proposition 50 by a wide margin, but results from the Sacramento region reflect a community split on the measure.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Tuesday's losses by the GOP could be viewed as a barometer for voter attitudes ahead of the 2026 midterms, reflecting broader dissatisfaction among core Republican constituencies and raising questions about the party's direction and messaging.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Tianjin Municipal Science and Technology Bureau, and Rice University, the work could reshape how scientists think about pollution cleanup by looking closer at the tiniest details hidden in common minerals.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Nov. 2025
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Adam Green, cofounder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, an influential left-leaning group, said Newsom has not set himself apart as someone average Americans think of as the authentic messenger who connects with a more positive vision for working people.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Allow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allow. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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