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
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Recent Examples of allow
Afterward, she was allowed to visit with him every Tuesday.
—
Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
The Royals' left-hander went six innings and allowed four hits and a walk while striking out eight.
—CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Liman allowed three of the 13 legal claims — including breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding and abetting in retaliation — Lively brought against her director and costar Baldoni to proceed to trial.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
Confident the film would be a hit, DePalma allowed Wall Street Journal critic Julie Salamon full access on the set to chronicle the making of the film.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for allow
Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
The Royals' left-hander went six innings and allowed four hits and a walk while striking out eight.
—CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Liman allowed three of the 13 legal claims — including breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding and abetting in retaliation — Lively brought against her director and costar Baldoni to proceed to trial.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
Confident the film would be a hit, DePalma allowed Wall Street Journal critic Julie Salamon full access on the set to chronicle the making of the film.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for allow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for allow
Verb
-
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
-
The notice does not indicate whether online participation will be permitted.—
Jess Huff,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In a 3-2 loss to the Phillies, Manager Blake Butera uses a reliever for one inning before letting starter Zack Littell work five.—
Danielle Allentuck,
Washington Post,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Choose honesty, and let support flow in.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Fungi thrive in harsh environments, tolerate extremes that would destroy most organisms, and can continually grow and repair themselves over time.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
-
However, some cats—especially those with thick, insulating fur like Maine Coons or Norwegian Forest cats—can tolerate and even enjoy playing in snow.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The administration has also sought to restrict work permits for asylum-seekers and to reexamine the cases of legal refugees admitted under the Biden administration.—
Camilo Montoya-Galvez,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The motion alleges that the court made a mistake in admitting a statement made by Herrera to law enforcement officers during the investigation and allowing certain evidence to be permitted, according to court documents.—
Noelle Alviz-Gransee
March 29,
Kansas City Star,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
For the past decade, the Rock Hall has allotted one spot on the shortlist for a capital-H hip-hop artist.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
2 Apr. 2026
-
In the case of Ivey, the front office should be allotted some grace.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
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
-
The wild swings in temperatures can be unsettling for people, Francis and others said, and also reflect the realities of a warming climate.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The buzzy, modern vibe of Trecca is reflected in its all-natural wine list, which span most of Europe and range from organic orange wines to Chateau Cambon’s La Cuvee du Chat.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
With momentum building around women's basketball, some fans are already thinking beyond March Madness.—
Conor McGill,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Aaron thought about writing an op-ed or speaking at a rally, but such gestures struck him as painfully insufficient.—
Oriana van Praag,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Allow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allow. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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