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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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of allow
But that trauma has passed, allowing Reilly to show off her riding skills in the new series.
—
Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 15 May 2026
The Seahawks allowed just 3 points in the regular-season finale and then 6 points in the divisional round game two weeks later.
—Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Orlando would then be allowed to stretch the $8 million owed over seven seasons, according to ESPN.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 May 2026
The seemingly limitless budgets and bottomless demand for content of the streaming television era have allowed studios to dramatize both long-ago and recent disasters.
—David Faris, TheWeek, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for allow
Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 15 May 2026
The Seahawks allowed just 3 points in the regular-season finale and then 6 points in the divisional round game two weeks later.
—Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Orlando would then be allowed to stretch the $8 million owed over seven seasons, according to ESPN.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 May 2026
The seemingly limitless budgets and bottomless demand for content of the streaming television era have allowed studios to dramatize both long-ago and recent disasters.
—David Faris, TheWeek, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for allow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for allow
Verb
-
California is now speeding review for large-scale renewable energy projects through a new fast-track permitting program that does not require sign-off from county and municipal governments — a fast-track process that Church has criticized.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2026
-
Interest in allowing the Pride flag to fly on village flagpoles last year sparked passionate debate at village board meetings before trustees ultimately voted down the request amid concerns about permitting some flags but not others.—
Daniel I. Dorfman,
Chicago Tribune,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
The high ceilings and white walls let the whole space feel sunlit.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
-
Braun told these hatchlings that they were too wedded to script, and needed to learn how to let sound tell the story.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
All visitors who paid for entry were told that only kind words would be tolerated, and any hurtful words or curses would result in immediate expulsion from the tent.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
Price said Putin will also be seeking China's diplomatic backing with regard to the Ukraine war, a conflict Beijing has tolerated if not openly endorsed.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
But ahead of her summer wedding to fiancé Matt Mahowald, Marshall admits sharing so much of her life online can sometimes blur personal boundaries.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
17 May 2026
-
Kemp admits that she was influenced by the lessons learned from the fan reaction to the conclusion of Power.—
Derek Lawrence,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Instead of the 20,000 spots that are usually available for New England Patriots games, the T said only 5,000 spaces will be allotted for fan parking on match days.—
Neal Riley,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
-
No numbers have been confirmed regarding the winnings allotted to those who finish in second and third place.—
Emily Weaver,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Building Mercury Bank The charter, which Akhund says may be ready for final approval in 2027 as Mercury builds its products and internal controls, will enable the firm to keep more revenue for itself.—
Hugh Son,
CNBC,
20 May 2026
-
The new Gen-2 hand, named Flex 2, combines multiple actuation technologies in a hybrid drive system, enabling it to handle objects with different shapes, textures, and levels of fragility more effectively.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Gambling’s prevalence during sports broadcasts reflects its status as an enormous and growing business in America.—
Luke Connors,
Washington Post,
19 May 2026
-
But because film is visual, characters cannot merely feel, react, or reflect on the page.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Sullivan says everyday activities suddenly carried risks most people never think about.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
23 May 2026
-
Considering the greater global reach of soccer, the sport needs to think about the quality of its output, Molango said.—
James Robson,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Allow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allow. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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