1
as in to permit
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 to let
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 to tolerate
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 to admit
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 to allot
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 to enable
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 to reflect
to make a statement of one's opinion
he allowed that their new house looked very nice
Synonyms & Similar Words
8
as in to think
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 to intend
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 allow
Trump has announced a deal with Vietnam that would allow U.S. goods to enter the country duty-free, while Vietnamese exports to the U.S. would face a 20% levy.
—
Brit Morse, Fortune, 6 July 2025
Ushering in nothing short of a police state intent on ethnic cleansing, Trump’s proposed 2026 budget authorizes funding for detention complexes greater than the budget for the federal prison system and detention complex capacity that will allow the government to detain at least 116,000 at once.
—Bob Kustra, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025
Congress must create a proper immigration process and allow these good people to stay.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 June 2025
Those included allowing some mayoral vetoes to stand, including the mayor eliminating $250,000 for a homeless outreach team and $225,000 that would have revived the city’s chief operating officer position.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for allow
Brit Morse, Fortune, 6 July 2025
Ushering in nothing short of a police state intent on ethnic cleansing, Trump’s proposed 2026 budget authorizes funding for detention complexes greater than the budget for the federal prison system and detention complex capacity that will allow the government to detain at least 116,000 at once.
—Bob Kustra, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025
Congress must create a proper immigration process and allow these good people to stay.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 June 2025
Those included allowing some mayoral vetoes to stand, including the mayor eliminating $250,000 for a homeless outreach team and $225,000 that would have revived the city’s chief operating officer position.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for allow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for allow
Verb
-
If time permits, lock your home upon departure and disconnect utilities and appliances.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 July 2025
-
Cooper noted that only personal items like a purse or brief briefcase are permitted, so don’t bring rolling bags, luggage and other unapproved items.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
It was meant to encourage community and creativity, letting users showcase interesting prompts and responses.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
1 July 2025
-
Leiter responded with a strikeout, but a wild pitch let Lukes reach second before Ernie Clement hit a soft single to Volpe.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
But since azaleas tolerate heavy pruning and respond by sending out new shoots all along remaining stems, the shrubs work well when sheared into a formal hedge.—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 July 2025
-
More precisely, Jews have been subjected to an invidious double standard: attacks, verbal and physical, that would never be tolerated against Blacks, gays and other minorities are not only tolerated, but often justified when directed at Jews.—
Alan M. Dershowitz,
New York Daily News,
6 July 2025
Verb
-
That got worse through emergency room trips on May 18 and May 20, the latter leading to University of Mississippi Medical Center, where she was admitted.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 July 2025
-
Chesky admits that remaining composed while covering these tragedies has been a challenge for him, especially as the father of a 2-year-old daughter, Eleanor.—
Rachel McRady,
People.com,
8 July 2025
Verb
-
First Qatar, then Senegal, Togo, Spain, Colombia, Brazil, China, Lebanon and the U.K. spoke for three minutes each, the time allotted to member states.—
Isabelle Mayault,
The Dial,
8 July 2025
-
Even more unconventional is the way these portals are arrayed and allotted.—
Brett Berk,
Robb Report,
8 July 2025
Verb
-
This includes mini-rovers, crewed lunar rovers, and all kinds of instrumentation that will enable lunar exploration, development, and in-situ resource development.—
Space.com Staff,
Space.com,
28 June 2025
-
Fresh droppings often contain viral RNA, enabling researchers to recover full genomes and assess the pathogenic potential of circulating strains.—
John Drake,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
Verb
-
The organization reflected a pattern in this new generation of filmmakers in the Central American country, largely comprised of women, with many telling stories focused on issues of womanhood and, most specifically, being a woman in Costa Rica today.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
1 July 2025
-
Photos posted to the Facebook and Instagram accounts of Roley's mother and stepfather, reviewed by ABC News, reflect that familiarity with firearms.—
Mike Levine,
ABC News,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
In dialogue with feminist visual traditions—think Jo Spence and Ana Mendieta—Brontē’s project carves its own terrain.—
Alessia Glaviano,
Vogue,
7 July 2025
-
Lucy Blakiston used to think working in media meant living a glitzy life wearing kitten heels, getting her nails done and working from chic offices.—
Jennifer Liu,
CNBC,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Allow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://x0upouf933.proxynodejs.usequeue.com/thesaurus/allow. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share