Synonyms of let

let 1 of 2

verb

ˈlet 

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

• allow
• permit
• leave
• authorize
• approve
• empower
• endorse
• license
• liberate
• sanction
• indulge
• give in (to)
• free
• cater (to)
• release
• commission
• humor

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• prohibit
• forbid
• enjoin
• deter
• discourage
• prevent
• impede
• inhibit
• block
• bar
• curb
• constrain
• obstruct
• frustrate
• hold back

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

• rent
• lease
• hire
• engage
• charter
• sublet
• lodge
• sublease
• rack-rent

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

• enable
• allow
• empower
• permit
• prepare
• ready
• equip
• approve
• qualify
• endorse
• fit
• condition
• habilitate
• sanction

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• prevent
• preclude
• inhibit
• forbid
• prohibit
• enjoin
• disallow

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

• allow
• tolerate
• ignore
• permit
• suffer
• put up with
• forgive
• disregard
• overlook
• excuse
• condone
• brush (aside or off)
• pardon
• indulge
• give in (to)
• cater (to)
• shrug off
• wink (at)
• brook
• humor

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• prevent
• block
• bar
• prohibit
• forbid
• constrain
• deter
• discourage
• interfere (with)
• impede
• inhibit
• curb
• frustrate
• hold back

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

• obstacle
• hurdle
• embarrassment
• obstruction
• stop
• barrier
• interference
• burden
• hindrance
• balk
• chain
• block
• load
• stumbling block
• deterrent
• drag
• encumbrance
• impediment
• inhibition
• shackles
• handicap
• cramp
• catch
• constraint
• rub
• hitch
• clog
• delay
• bar
• trammel
• snag
• brake
• crimp
• rein
• fetter
• manacle
• curb
• stone wall
• holdback
• arrest
• check
• danger
• hazard
• restraint
• disadvantage
• blockade
• brick wall
• blockage
• hobble
• bit
• stoppage
• difficulty
• embargo
• stall
• hardship
• holdup
• peril
• drawback
• reef
• cumber
• adversity

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• incentive
• impetus
• spur
• stimulus
• catalyst
• advantage
• help
• break
• goad
• edge
• assistance
• benefit
• aid
• stimulant
• boost
• handmaiden

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

Recent Examples of let

Verb

These treatments employ a gene editing technique called CRISPR that lets scientists alter DNA in a living organism. —Milly Dawson, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2026

The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan, which lets enrollees spread costs into monthly installments rather than paying in full at the pharmacy, now automatically renews for 2026 unless the enrollee opts out. —Allison Palmer march 3, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2026

Avoid letting dirty dishes sit in a closed machine for days. —Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 3 Mar. 2026

Friends don’t let friends down. —Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026

Phrases Containing let

• let (someone) know
• let alone
• let down
• let fly
• let go
• let on
• let on (about)
• let the cat out of the bag (about)
• let up