Synonyms of authorize

authorize

verb

ˈȯ-thə-ˌrīz 

1

as in to enable

to give official or legal power to

only the school nurse is authorized to give any necessary shots

Synonyms & Similar Words

• enable
• empower
• qualify
• permit
• certify
• allow
• license
• entitle
• warrant
• approve
• invest
• charter
• accredit
• endorse
• vest
• commission
• confirm
• sanction
• initiate
• affirm
• validate
• install
• let
• inaugurate
• OK
• induct
• privilege
• credential
• swear in
• instate
• clear
• enfranchise

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• prevent
• disqualify
• deny
• exclude
• stop
• discourage
• inhibit
• impede
• hinder
• disallow
• prohibit
• constrain
• obstruct
• ban
• block
• shut out
• hold back
• forbid
• bar
• enjoin
• veto
• outlaw
• disbar
• disfranchise
• disenfranchise
• proscribe
• interdict

2

as in to entitle

to give a right to

this pass will authorize you to go backstage

Synonyms & Similar Words

• entitle
• qualify
• enable
• permit
• empower
• privilege
• allow
• approve
• endorse
• license
• let
• ratify
• certify
• certificate
• legitimize
• validate
• sanction
• enfranchise
• accredit
• warrant
• charter
• recertify
• revalidate
• reapprove
• recharter
• reaccredit

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disqualify
• disable
• forbid
• invalidate
• disallow
• proscribe
• nullify
• disenfranchise
• decertify
• disempower
• delegitimize

3

as in to approve

to give official acceptance of as satisfactory

a system for sound reproduction that has been authorized as meeting the electronic industry's highest standards

Synonyms & Similar Words

• approve
• ratify
• confirm
• endorse
• accept
• finalize
• sanction
• formalize
• warrant
• acknowledge
• sign
• OK
• accredit
• approbate
• affirm
• certify
• homologate
• permit
• enable
• validate
• clear
• initial
• allow
• bless
• pass
• legalize
• sanctify
• license
• canonize
• rubber-stamp
• sign off (on)
• reapprove

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deny
• reject
• prohibit
• disallow
• disapprove
• veto
• negative
• forbid
• decline
• enjoin
• turn down
• proscribe
• ban
• ignore
• refuse
• disregard
• neglect
• interdict
• overlook
• illegalize
• rebut
• spurn
• rebuff

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of authorize

In the absence of a deal, the union is asking its members to authorize a strike, potentially causing the largest state worker walkout in California history. — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Paramount said in Friday’s filing that its board of directors on Friday had authorized the stock move. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026

The oversight of facilities and programs falls to a board of trustees that’s authorized by Congress to advance the mission and secure the majority of the center’s earned and contributed revenue. — E. Andrew Taylor, The Conversation, 25 Sep. 2026

And as of April 2025, the Legislature’s analysts wrote, no law authorized the expansion of Hope Florida, or its functions, beyond the relatively small pot of money and staffed positions lawmakers set aside in 2021. — Sharmila Venkatasubban, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026