1
as in permits
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 lets
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 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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in admits
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 allots
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 enables
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 reflects
to make a statement of one's opinion
he allowed that their new house looked very nice
Synonyms & Similar Words
8
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of allows
Questions and comments will be moderated, read, and answered as time allows.
—
Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2026
Their structure allows liquids containing potential analytes to move freely through the gel while keeping bacteria trapped inside the material.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 14 Mar. 2026
In South Africa, legislation in the early two-thousands codified a program called Black Economic Empowerment, which, among other initiatives, incentivizes employers to hire Black South Africans; a more recent law allows the government to expropriate private land, sometimes without compensation.
—Boyce Upholt, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
Transdermal patches are a drug delivery system that allows medicine and ingredients to be absorbed straight into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system.
—Helena Kudiabor, SELF, 13 Mar. 2026
Walker’s arrival also allows the Panthers to be patient in the upcoming NFL Draft with the offensive tackle position.
—Mike Kaye
updated March 13, Charlotte Observer, 13 Mar. 2026
This allows gas to pass through the GI tract without getting trapped and causing bloating.
—Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 13 Mar. 2026
Regular Prime subscriptions allow for four concurrent streams, while Ultra allows as many as five.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2026
The Constitution currently allows only for a flat income tax, making bids to raise it for individuals politically toxic.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2026
Their structure allows liquids containing potential analytes to move freely through the gel while keeping bacteria trapped inside the material.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 14 Mar. 2026
In South Africa, legislation in the early two-thousands codified a program called Black Economic Empowerment, which, among other initiatives, incentivizes employers to hire Black South Africans; a more recent law allows the government to expropriate private land, sometimes without compensation.
—Boyce Upholt, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
Transdermal patches are a drug delivery system that allows medicine and ingredients to be absorbed straight into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system.
—Helena Kudiabor, SELF, 13 Mar. 2026
Walker’s arrival also allows the Panthers to be patient in the upcoming NFL Draft with the offensive tackle position.
—Mike Kaye
updated March 13, Charlotte Observer, 13 Mar. 2026
This allows gas to pass through the GI tract without getting trapped and causing bloating.
—Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 13 Mar. 2026
Regular Prime subscriptions allow for four concurrent streams, while Ultra allows as many as five.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2026
The Constitution currently allows only for a flat income tax, making bids to raise it for individuals politically toxic.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for allows
Verb
-
Acknowledging that most civil law now permits legitimization after the fact, some jurisdictions still discriminate against a child born out of wedlock.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
7 Mar. 2026
-
In 2018, California voters passed Proposition 7, allowing the state to adopt permanent daylight saving time if federal law permits.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As the harried solo parent of a sick child, Byrne lets the camera zoom in so close to her character’s insecurities that the audience breaks out in a cold sweat.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
This simple pie lets farmer's market berries shine.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This long-blooming plant loves the heat, tolerates drought, and doesn’t need fancy soil—sandy, rocky, or poor soils are all fair game, says Gifford.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Grown as an annual in most climates or a perennial in warmer locales, dusty miller prefers full sun, tolerates drought, and is resistant to most pests.—
Jamie McIntosh,
The Spruce,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The company admits this is a demand issue.—
Justin Klawans,
TheWeek,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The law requires that any undocumented immigrant who is charged with or admits having committed burglary, shoplifting, assault of a law enforcement officer or any serious felonies be detained.—
Anna Heqimi,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
When a team allots minutes to so many young players simultaneously, lapses in concentration and on-court mistakes are bound to happen.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This technology enables radars to observe moving targets from multiple angles, capturing more dynamic information to determine their attributes – and even distinguish potential decoy drones from the actual attackers.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Mar. 2026
-
This distinctiveness enables theatergoers to engage more fully with a narrative that is centered on living and indulging in the human experience rather than simply acting as passive observers.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But the late-Baroque facade of the building conceals a special, darker history, one that reflects persistent political and legal problems for the bank thousands of miles away, in the US.—
Hugo Miller,
Bloomberg,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Right now, while the ocean is beginning to look more El Niño-like and projected to become even more so, the atmospheric circulation still reflects the influence of a weak La Niña.—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
He was involved in multiple relegation battles and believes having the right mindset is key.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Union-Tribune draft expert Eddie Brown believes a team could go after Cooper as a developmental player on the D-line who could make an immediate contribution on special teams.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Allows.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allows. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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