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Definitions

allow

[uh-lou] / əˈlaʊ /
VERB
admit; acknowledge
Synonyms
STRONGEST
grant
STRONG
acquiesce avow concede confess own
WEAK
let on
Antonyms
STRONG
deny disagree disavow disown dispute dissent reject repudiate
WEAK
disallow disapprove forbid hold keep prohibit protest refuse resist withstand
VERB
permit an action
Synonyms
STRONGEST
approve authorize favor oblige recognize release support tolerate
STRONG
accord accredit admit bear brook certify commission consent empower endorse endure indulge let license okay sanction stand suffer warrant
WEAK
be big be game for free up give a blank check give carte blanche give leave give permission give the go-ahead give the green light go along with grant permission hear of hold with live with pass on put up with sit still for take kindly to
Antonyms
STRONGEST
deny disallow disapprove oppose refuse reject veto
STRONG
disagree dissent prevent protest repel unauthorize withhold
WEAK
forbid hold keep prohibit resist withstand
VERB
set aside
Synonyms
STRONGEST
assign give grant provide
STRONG
admeasure allocate allot apportion deduct lot remit spare
WEAK
mete
Antonyms
STRONGEST
keep take
STRONG
hold withhold
WEAK
deny disallow disapprove forbid prohibit protest refuse reject resist withstand

Usage

What are other ways to say allow?

Allow and permit are often interchangeable as terms that imply granting or conceding the right of someone to do something, but permit is the more positive of the two. Allow implies complete absence of an attempt, or even an intent, to hinder. Permit suggests formal or implied assent or authorization. Let is the familiar, conversational term for both allow and permit.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Allow us to distill some relevant facts that he omits.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 9, 2026

Allow me to add a few observations that transform the story from merely damning to genuinely absurd.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 21, 2026

"Allow the government to micromanage your academic institution or jeopardise the institution's ability to pursue medical breakthroughs, scientific discoveries, and innovative solutions."

From BBC • May 31, 2025

Allow me to explain: My first foray into TikTok’s favorite Mormon tradwife was an old video of her enjoying a late-night snack.

From Salon • May 25, 2025

Allow me to ease your burden, ” said Roscuro.

From "The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread" by Kate DiCamillo

Vocabulary lists containing allow

Beowulf vocabulary

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"The Sporting Spirit"

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Workshop 3, Part 2

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