enable

verb

i-ˈnā-bəl How to pronounce enable (audio)
Definition of enablenext
1
as in to let
to make able or possible my new glasses enable me to read the fine print

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to empower
to give official or legal power to a law that would enable the authorities to inspect food preparation areas for health code violations

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 enable Utopai has amassed an extensive slate of projects, both completely AI-generated and AI-enabled, for a fledgling studio. — Corbin Bolies, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026 The SSCs are designed to deliver mission-ready capability, moving over tides, terrains and obstacles, enabling access to 80% of the world’s coastline. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026 With little or no employment income, retirees may be in a low tax bracket, enabling them to convert traditional IRA savings to a Roth IRA at a relatively favorable tax rate. — John Csiszar, Washington Post, 11 Oct. 2026 Suffolk more than accommodated this corpus of experience while at the same time enabling me to refine my interests courtesy of its humanizing curriculum. — David Shribman, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for enable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enable
  1. let
  2. empower
  3. allow
  4. authorize
  5. qualify
Verb
  • Winter lets the spaces between each downbeat expand and contract, as if his Steinway grand has lungs.
    — Walden Green, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Wearable sensors could aid therapy The researchers envision garments that let users control video game characters or operate robots remotely.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of let
Verb
  • The initiative’s goal is by 2030 to have empowered 3 million people to recognize the early signs of anxiety and depression, and take steps toward helping those.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The county is empowered by statute to investigate and prosecute violations of the Unfair Competition Law on behalf of California residents and to seek restitution, civil penalties and injunctive relief for any violations.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of empower
Verb
  • The platform’s most popular membership plan is the Ipsy Original plan, which for $15 a month allows users to receive five sample-size products every month.
    — Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Street Fighter held its premiere in Los Angeles on Monday and Paramount also held a series of screenings this week, and allowed attendees to post brief social media reactions to the movie.
    — Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of allow
Verb
  • Likewise, renewable energy in Texas didn’t take off until after the Legislature helped authorize the construction of transmission lines hundreds of miles from the windy western parts of the state to major cities such as Houston and Dallas.
    — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
  • On Saturday, a missile struck a complex housing terminals 3 and 4 for domestic flights and many people were wounded, a regional official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak to the media.
    — Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of authorize
Verb
  • Under those rules, qualifying products generally must use yarn and fabric produced within participating countries to receive preferential tariff treatment.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income, and early withdrawals may face penalties unless they’re used for qualifying expenses such as education or a first home, so families should review the tax rules before deciding how to use the money.
    — Fernanda Tronco, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of qualify

Browse Nearby Words

emulsions
enable
enabled
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Cite this Entry

“Enable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enable. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

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