let 1 of 2

verb

ˈlet How to pronounce let (audio)
Definition of letnext
1
as in to allow
to give permission to my parents would not let me drive until I had a job and could pay for my own gas

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to rent
chiefly British to give the possession and use of (something) in return for periodic payment the pensioner has begun letting rooms in her home to earn some extra money

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to enable
to make able or possible the low gravity on the moon lets you make enormous leaps and jumps

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to tolerate
to fail to prevent (some behavior on someone's part) especially from neglect or indifference they let their kids get away with murder

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

let

2 of 2

noun

as in obstacle
something that makes movement or progress difficult artists are allowed to sell their goods in the public square without let or hindrance

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word let different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of let are charter, hire, lease, and rent. While all these words mean "to engage or grant for use at a price," hire and let, strictly speaking, are complementary terms, hire implying the act of engaging or taking for use and let the granting of use.

we hired a car for the summer
decided to let the cottage to a young couple

When is it sensible to use charter instead of let?

While the synonyms charter and let are close in meaning, charter applies to the hiring or letting of a vehicle usually for exclusive use.

charter a bus to go to the game

When could lease be used to replace let?

The words lease and let can be used in similar contexts, but lease strictly implies a letting under the terms of a contract but is often applied to hiring on a lease.

the diplomat leased an apartment for a year

When might rent be a better fit than let?

Although the words rent and let have much in common, rent stresses the payment of money for the full use of property and may imply either hiring or letting.

instead of buying a house, they decided to rent
will not rent to families with children

How is the word let different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of let are charter, hire, lease, and rent. While all these words mean "to engage or grant for use at a price," hire and let, strictly speaking, are complementary terms, hire implying the act of engaging or taking for use and let the granting of use.

we hired a car for the summer
decided to let the cottage to a young couple

When is it sensible to use charter instead of let?

While the synonyms charter and let are close in meaning, charter applies to the hiring or letting of a vehicle usually for exclusive use.

charter a bus to go to the game

When could lease be used to replace let?

The words lease and let can be used in similar contexts, but lease strictly implies a letting under the terms of a contract but is often applied to hiring on a lease.

the diplomat leased an apartment for a year

When might rent be a better fit than let?

Although the words rent and let have much in common, rent stresses the payment of money for the full use of property and may imply either hiring or letting.

instead of buying a house, they decided to rent
will not rent to families with children

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 let
Verb
Make invitations clear, and let people choose what fits comfortably. —Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 17 Mar. 2026 YouTube made a World Cup deal with FIFA on Tuesday that lets rights-holding broadcasters stream game action live on the video platform that offers global access to young viewers. —ABC News, 17 Mar. 2026 This interactive area lets kids and adults try football skills, play digital games, and learn about teamwork. —Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 17 Mar. 2026 Instead of reaching for your go-to LBD, let Altuzarra’s flirty floral frock take center stage in your cocktail-hour rotation. —Laura Jackson, Vogue, 17 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for let
Recent Examples of Synonyms for let
  1. allow
  2. rent
  3. enable
  4. tolerate
  5. obstacle
  6. permit
  7. lease
  8. ignore
Verb
  • Questions and comments will be moderated, read, and answered as time allows.
    — Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Somaliland’s supporters in Washington view the territory as a potential security ally, with recognition potentially allowing US intelligence to monitor weapons flows, Houthi activity in Yemen, and China’s growing footprint, including Beijing’s military base in neighboring Djibouti.
    — Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of allow
Verb
  • The truck, Prager realized with a sick flash of terror, had been rented under his name.
    — Jack Crosbie, Rolling Stone, 17 Mar. 2026
  • Matt Dymoke, the director of Development and Communications at ICA Food Shelf, says Bueckers' donation went a long way towards food and rent help.
    — Marielle Mohs, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
Definition of rent
Verb
  • Poulette’s new digs — complete with a bigger kitchen, larger walk-in cooler and upgraded ovens — will enable the business to increase production of its staples, such as macarons, as well as add new items to the menu.
    — Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 19 Mar. 2026
  • Next-gen atomic clock The breakthrough in miniaturisation is enabled by a quantum-optical technique known as coherent population trapping, which replaces the bulkier microwave-cavity approach used in traditional atomic clocks.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of enable
Verb
  • Its ability to tolerate city life, its cold hardiness, and the ballooning technique that carries it on the wind all point to a species that will continue expanding its range across the country.
    — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2026
  • But the alliance collapsed as political rivals accused France Unbowed politicians of tolerating antisemitic rhetoric.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Mar. 2026
Definition of tolerate
Noun
  • Shifts in the technology industry have been a primary obstacle to recovery of the conference and convention business in San Jose, Bellisario said.
    — Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Martinez-Cid points to the Helms-Burden Act, as the most significant obstacle for any Cuban Americans considering investment.
    — Isabel Rosales, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of obstacle
Verb
  • Mahan’s campaign website lays out a multi-pronged approach to ensuring affordable housing in the state, including through capping fees and taxes on new infill housing and addressing permitting delays.
    — Paris Barraza, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
  • While parts of the US government have pledged for years to reduce animal testing, experts say the FDA especially has been slow to respond, implement and permit the use of nonanimal alternatives.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of permit
Verb
  • The bill also specifies that the armed volunteers would be able to provide services on any property owned or leased by a religious institution, including property used for education.
    — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
  • It was then handed over to a property manager and leased as a residence for $6,000 a month, well beyond the reach of most locals.
    — Adam Ciralsky, Vanity Fair, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of lease
Verb
  • Red, white and blue and Venezuela’s yellow, blue and red filled the stadium -- as did the political overtones the WBC could not ignore.
    — Greg Cote Updated March 17, Miami Herald, 18 Mar. 2026
  • But when platitudes aren’t backed by action, the disparity between branding and behavior becomes impossible to ignore.
    — Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 17 Mar. 2026
Definition of ignore

Phrases Containing let

Browse Nearby Words

lessors
let
let alone
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Let.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/let. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on let

Nglish: Translation of let for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about let

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of apotheosis

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

What does 'etcetera' mean?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

The Words of the Week - Mar. 20

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Why do we say 'get out of Dodge'?

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?
See More

Popular

See More

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

The Words of the Week - Mar. 20
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
back-of-head-mortarboard
Quiz: Name That Hat! Time to put on your thinking cap.
See All