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allow

[uh-lou] / əˈlaʊ /




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.

The Orange County district attorney’s office had originally charged Jennings in connection to the shooting but dismissed the case to allow for the federal case to proceed, according to the Justice Department.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

Dugas spoke out against a state bill to allow discrimination on the basis of religious beliefs, according to an article in Atlanta’s Saporta Report on March 17, 2016.

From Salon • Jun. 9, 2026

The developer says the man camp would allow workers to live in relative comfort.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

“Please allow extra time to get to the game and avoid the area around MSG if you don’t have a reason to be there.”

From MarketWatch • Jun. 8, 2026

The team’s task was to open a valve that would allow steam to escape from the suppression pool through a pipe to the outside.

From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland




Vocabulary lists containing allow


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