ALLOWS Synonyms: 291 Similar and Opposite Words

allows

verb

present tense third-person singular of allow

as in permits

to give permission for or to approve of flash photography is not allowed inside the church

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Relevance

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as in lets

to give permission to a boarding school that does not allow students to go on weekend trips without written permission

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as in tolerates

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

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as in admits

to accept the truth or existence of (something) usually reluctantly I'll allow I probably said more than I should have

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as in allots

to give as a share or portion allowed each camper one match to light his fire

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as in enables

to make able or possible a patient's canceled appointment allowed the doctor to squeeze in a few extra phone calls

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as in reflects

to make a statement of one's opinion he allowed that their new house looked very nice

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as in believes

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

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as in intends

chiefly Southern & Midland to have in mind as a purpose or goal I allow to go hunting before the season is over

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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 allows That allows the submarine to keep generating power while completely submerged. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2026 Moscatiello allows her 8- and 5-year-old daughters to bike to school with friends. — Rachel Hale, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026 And the pre-screen allows fliers to not have to remove belts, shoes or unload laptops and compliant liquids from luggage. — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2026 In effect, this blocks out the starlight as necessary and only allows light reflected off the planets of interest to pull through and reflect off the coronagraph's mirrors. — Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 9 Sep. 2026 Aron said that the increasingly popular practice of tokenization allows the brokerage to create exposure to AMC stock without the issuing company's involvement, undermining the traditional relationship between companies and their shareholders. — Tanaya MacHeel, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026 Re-loved is a more recent upcycling initiative that allows customers to return their wax jackets in exchange for a voucher. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2026 This allows the 245-passenger vessel to smash through eight-feet-thick ice and explore the Earth’s extreme latitudes (including its northernmost point) that other ships cannot access. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Sep. 2026 Embroidery, beading, leatherwork, and fur transform the familiar silhouette, while a new second strap allows it to be slung across the shoulder. — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for allows

Verb

That exception permits disclosures for research or statistical reports only if the personal information is not published, publicly disclosed, or used to contact people.

— Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2026
California permits students to participate in athletic teams and in competitions that match their gender, regardless of what gender is listed on their records.

— Paris Barraza, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of permits

Verb

Moore’s Mona Friedman is indeed a familiar figure, a shy and impressionable wife who quietly nods along at dinner, lets people cut in front of her at the store, and seems generally uninterested in sticking up for herself.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2026
The Home Rule Act of 1973 lets residents elect a mayor, a council and neighborhood commissioners.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of lets

Verb

The bigger the screen, the more likely one is to feel full immersion in an experience that Tez admits was frequently unpleasant, only without the accompanying hits of dopamine or adrenaline, much less the sense of accomplishment.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026
Aparacio admits that most of won’t be able to keep up with that schedule and says six months is okay, too, and that particular chore can be saved for the big season changes and cleaning that comes with winter and summer.

— Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of admits

Verb

The six-machine launch reflects the company’s wider attempt to develop into a more comprehensive supplier of semiconductor manufacturing equipment rather than remaining focused on a single part of the fabrication process.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026
The interest, in part, reflects the broader peptide-craze that has increasingly entered the mainstream wellness and longevity space.

— Will Stone, NPR, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of reflects

Verb

However, Carrick believes Dorgu can operate in the position despite not yet playing him there and offers another alternative to the 31-year-old Shaw as United contend with Premier League and Champions League football.

— Chris McKenna, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Dondo Iorlamen, the international director of CAPRO, believes Africa is well-positioned to send missionaries because Christianity is growing stronger there.

— Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026