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
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 allow
In short, having patrons pump their own gas allowed gas stations to remain competitive.
—
Laura Kiniry, Popular Science, 9 Apr. 2026
Once their kids were in school, moms seemed to be allowed a gradual ascent back into the warmth and light of personhood.
—Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 2026
The Supreme Court elevated a pair of TPS cases, involving the revocation of the status from Haiti and Syria, from the emergency docket to its merits docket for arguments later this month, but did not allow the lifting of the lower courts’ blocks in the interim.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 9 Apr. 2026
In August 2025, the agency proposed Part 108, a new permanent ruleset that would allow drones to fly beyond what operators can see.
—Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for allow
Laura Kiniry, Popular Science, 9 Apr. 2026
Once their kids were in school, moms seemed to be allowed a gradual ascent back into the warmth and light of personhood.
—Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 2026
The Supreme Court elevated a pair of TPS cases, involving the revocation of the status from Haiti and Syria, from the emergency docket to its merits docket for arguments later this month, but did not allow the lifting of the lower courts’ blocks in the interim.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 9 Apr. 2026
In August 2025, the agency proposed Part 108, a new permanent ruleset that would allow drones to fly beyond what operators can see.
—Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for allow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for allow
Verb
-
The case focuses specifically on Maryland’s ability to block Kalshi from offering sports-event contracts in the state -– such as whether the Orioles will win the American League East division —that Maryland says amount to rogue sports bets not permitted by its law.—
Jeff Barker,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Apr. 2026
-
As for the Yankees, Will Warren, Ryan Weathers and Max Fried will look to continue the dominance of a rotation that has only permitted two runs through six games.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
While your brave nature prefers fast outcomes, letting ideas mature in private should put you in a position to act with more confidence in a positive outcome.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
On the rare occasions a teammate passed him the ball, Knueppel would duck and let the ball skitter out of bounds.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That is not a situation that elite clubs can tolerate.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Dissent is not tolerated, which has led to a repressive political climate and one in which human rights are routinely violated.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
No less than Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, perhaps the war’s biggest cheerleader in the administration, had to admit that Iran’s regional retaliation was not exactly a surprise.—
Shane Harris,
The Atlantic,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The person was identified by video and a witness and admitted setting the fires.—
Anne Gelhaus,
Mercury News,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and City Councilmember Ysabel Jurado called Thursday for allotting more than $360 million to developers and nonprofits building and preserving affordable housing projects.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Taylor Frankie Paul has filed a counter temporary restraining order against ex Dakota Mortensen — both of whom have accused each other of recent domestic violence — as a judge issued a temporary custody arrangement dictating how much time she’s allotted with their toddler son.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The first would allow courts in protection from abuse matters and criminal proceedings to order abusers to wear a GPS monitoring device that enables survivors to track their location in real time, even with alerts to law enforcement.—
Lauren Linder,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
On other podcast apps, creators can enable access to their shows via a private RSS link.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That is also reflected in the latest analysis of the bill by senate staff, which includes possible new wording focusing only on the assessment and not on establishing a new policy to bring back grizzlies.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The broader Baha Mar resort carries more of that focus, particularly through the wildlife sanctuary and marine programming, which reflect the property's emphasis on conservation and environmental education.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
What was John thinking before the surface of the water appeared before his windshield, rushing forward at terrifying speed?—
Jeffrey Eugenides,
New Yorker,
4 Apr. 2026
-
How many average people have once thought about harming ourselves or others?—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Allow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allow. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
