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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to entitle
to give a right to
this pass will authorize you to go backstage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of authorize
The kitchen-sink approach sought to authorize a range of local and state authorities to take on the problem under the oversight of the state Department of Agriculture.
—
Mark Dee
march 31, Idaho Statesman, 31 Mar. 2026
The decision infuriated local opponents, who have applauded selectmen’s decision in mid-March to authorize legal action to try to reverse the vote.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2026
John’s pilot license authorized him to fly at night, and flying after dark isn’t dangerous if the visibility is good.
—Jeff Wise, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026
Others have raised constitutional concerns about Congress’s role in authorizing extended military operations.
—Steve Mollman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for authorize
Mark Dee
march 31, Idaho Statesman, 31 Mar. 2026
The decision infuriated local opponents, who have applauded selectmen’s decision in mid-March to authorize legal action to try to reverse the vote.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2026
John’s pilot license authorized him to fly at night, and flying after dark isn’t dangerous if the visibility is good.
—Jeff Wise, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026
Others have raised constitutional concerns about Congress’s role in authorizing extended military operations.
—Steve Mollman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for authorize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authorize
Verb
-
That vision of worldwide economic and cultural interdependence that enabled the proliferation of biennials in the ’90s has been steadily eroding amid the recent rise in nativism and far-right movements in the United States and Europe.—
Smooth Nzewi,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Shackelford accused Hernandez of corruption, and her own department of enabling and covering it up, in a detailed whistleblower complaint to DeSantis’ Chief Inspector General.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Knowing the cause of a delay helps passengers understand if they are entitled to compensation.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize.—
Staff Reports,
The Providence Journal,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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According to a March 24 Reuters poll, 35% of Americans approve of the strikes on Iran versus 61% who disapprove.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Baltimore is on the hook for $100,000, which was approved with the routine agenda at the beginning of the Board of Estimates meeting.—
Chevall Pryce,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Irvine Councilmember Treseder urged Orange County cities to join the Orange County Power Authority, a Community Choice Aggregation program that empowers local government to control how and where electricity is purchased.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
27 Mar. 2026
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The only sustainable path forward is to empower folks to get around by other means, reducing congestion for those who prefer to drive.—
Ian Hembree,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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How Much Filing Could Now Cost With Direct File gone, Americans who do not qualify for—or cannot successfully navigate—the IRS Free File program could turn to commercial software.—
Amanda Greenwood,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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Under a new law, some items, including candy and certain sugary drinks, will no longer qualify through the program at grocery stores statewide.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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What the Framers Actually Built The Constitution ratified in 1789 is a short, deliberately limited document.—
Steve H. Hanke,
Fortune,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Members of the Bath Marine Draftsmen’s Association ratified a new four-year collective bargaining agreement that goes into effect immediately, the shipyard said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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For men, black tie permits a suit or a tuxedo, while white tie demands the black tailcoat and white bowtie brief as explained above.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
27 Mar. 2026
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The notice does not indicate whether online participation will be permitted.—
Jess Huff,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Licata officially appointed as FWISD’s acting superintendent The Board of Managers unanimously voted to confirm Licata as the school district’s superintendent.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
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Perry's representative confirmed to USA TODAY on Tuesday that the workers were eventually allowed to hold onto the gift cards after confusion was cleared up.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Authorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authorize. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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