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
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
Preservationists, afraid that significant architecture may fall to the wrecking ball, have alleged that Miami Beach’s historic-preservation ordinance essentially allows demolition without city approval.
—
Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
Experts said an active investigation also allows multiple agencies to conduct training in real time together.
—Jeff Nguyen, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
The amendment allows the developer to move residential units within the Village and realign roads, but doesn't change the project's overall density.
—Naina Srivastava, Austin American Statesman, 27 Feb. 2026
Reservations recommended; walk-ins are welcome as space allows.
—Elaine Rewolinski, jsonline.com, 27 Feb. 2026
In addition, the law allows the grid operator to shut off power to data centers in the event of an emergency.
—Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 27 Feb. 2026
The enclosure allows the stones to catch light while maintaining a refined profile.
—Malana Vantayler, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
This smaller size allows a smaller motor and the result is a quieter fan.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
The facility’s location at Idaho National Laboratory allows users to leverage adjacent world-class infrastructure, including the Advanced Test Reactor for irradiating salts and the Analytical Research Laboratories for detailed isotopic analysis.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 20 Feb. 2026
Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
Experts said an active investigation also allows multiple agencies to conduct training in real time together.
—Jeff Nguyen, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
The amendment allows the developer to move residential units within the Village and realign roads, but doesn't change the project's overall density.
—Naina Srivastava, Austin American Statesman, 27 Feb. 2026
Reservations recommended; walk-ins are welcome as space allows.
—Elaine Rewolinski, jsonline.com, 27 Feb. 2026
In addition, the law allows the grid operator to shut off power to data centers in the event of an emergency.
—Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 27 Feb. 2026
The enclosure allows the stones to catch light while maintaining a refined profile.
—Malana Vantayler, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
This smaller size allows a smaller motor and the result is a quieter fan.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
The facility’s location at Idaho National Laboratory allows users to leverage adjacent world-class infrastructure, including the Advanced Test Reactor for irradiating salts and the Analytical Research Laboratories for detailed isotopic analysis.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 20 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for allows
Verb
-
Kazakh-resistance framing positions it as memorial, but memorial to what an authoritarian nation permits to be named.—
Anel Rakhimzhanova,
Artforum,
1 Mar. 2026
-
The decree also permits a father to punish their child for, among another things, failing to pray.—
Mick Krever,
CNN Money,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But the state now publishes legislative data through a public application programming interface — essentially the tool that lets apps talk to each other.—
Matt Wing,
New York Daily News,
2 Mar. 2026
-
The multi-view experience lets viewers watch up to four ESPN games simultaneously, baseball or otherwise.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Bright, indirect light; well-draining soil Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana) is a succulent that tolerates being slightly root-bound.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Temperature and Humidity 'Kaleidoscope' Abelia tolerates the heat and humidity of Southern landscapes.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Lo admits that working with Hodgson affirms his own masochism.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Trump is not a man who ever admits a mistake.—
Hanna Rosin,
The Atlantic,
26 Feb. 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
-
Too conveniently, Mary is pushed off-stage with a sudden terminal illness, which enables Becket to take his rightful place in the narrative.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
-
According to Textron Systems, the loitering munition, ominously named after the Damocles of the Ancient Greek parable of the dangling sword, enables top-attack capabilities with its VTOL configuration.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
According to the firm, the effort reflects sustained demand from naval and air warfighters for aircraft capable of holding targets at risk from extended distances, particularly across the vast air and maritime spaces of the Western Pacific.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Richard’s commitment to empowering the next generation reflects the heart of our mission — and inspires the entire FIT community.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Beyond Anthony, Ortiz is also bullish on the rest of the 2026 Red Sox and believes the club’s improved pitching staff could go a long way towards helping the team take the next step after a 89-win season and an AL Wild Card berth.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Lee is happy the Sailors are off to a 4-0 start but believes the team is playing nowhere near expectations.—
Michael Huntley,
Oc Register,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Allows.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allows. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
