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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to allot
to give as a share or portion
allowed each camper one match to light his fire
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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
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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
That simple change would introduce real competition, allowing merchants to choose lower-cost options and forcing the dominant players to compete on price and service--just like any other market.
—
Arkansas Online, 9 Jan. 2026
The company says its solution allows solar panels to be integrated directly into the hood, bonnet, and roof of a vehicle.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Jan. 2026
Harris’ defense was a huge piece, allowing 19 points per game.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Jan. 2026
These are now commonly built into a range of speakers and playback devices, allowing lossless tracks—and even hi-res music—to be streamed directly from the company's servers to a compatible device over Wi-Fi.
—Simon Lucas, Wired News, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for allow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for allow
Verb
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My late father tried to maintain that routine to renew our Egyptian residency permits annually out of fear Israel would expel us from our home again one day.—
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Temporary residence permits allow foreigners to live and work in Germany, as well as receive government benefits, but mean their ability to remain there is uncertain.—
Verb
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Making sure pan handles are turned outward, moving flammable towels and potholders away from open burners and not letting grease build up.—
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The straight-leg fit here is the ideal balance for anyone who doesn’t love baggy or wide-leg styles, and the ankle-grazing length lets your favorite winter boots take center stage.—
Verb
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The shed can tolerate up to 6 inches of snow, prevents rainwater from pooling, and has engineered air vents that ensure optimal ventilation inside.—
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For families This is the rare wilderness lodge where kids aren't just tolerated—they're given the kind of freedom that barely exists anymore.—
Verb
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Nevertheless, the McAlarneys admit that keeping their children away from smartphones and limiting technology is easier said than done, especially in today’s digital age.—
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While the footage has been admitted, jurors were instructed not to weigh it as evidence until deliberations.—
Verb
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Chapa said there is only a short time allotted by the state to improve the school’s ratings.—
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The letter proposes that Jackson County withhold all funding allotted toward the Chiefs.—
Verb
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An arbitration hearing enables the Royals and a player — including his agent and attorney — to have a panel of neutral arbitrators determine the value of the player’s contract for the coming season (in this case, 2026).—
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Washington’s neutrality safeguarded our nation’s first quarter-millennium, enabling our ascent to superpower status and the preservation of liberty at home.—
Verb
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According to Qu, the version shown now reflects those iterations and signals readiness for a broader launch.—
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Over the course of the season, Tommy and his father slowly tighten their bond, a process punctuated with darkly comic lines that both puncture and reflect Thornton’s and Elliott’s undeniable chemistry and gravitas.—
Verb
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In retrospect, thinking a guy who was the ninth WR in his NFL draft class would be fantasy football’s WR10 in his second year was a tad optimistic.—
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But the actor didn't think the story of his character on all five of the Netflix series' seasons, Will Byers, and Will's longtime friend, Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard), had been fully wrapped up going into the final episode.—
Cite this Entry
“Allow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allow. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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