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Dictionary.com
Definitions

give the go-ahead

VERB
accede
Synonyms
STRONGEST
acquiesce
STRONG
accept admit allow assent comply concede concur cooperate endorse fold grant let okay permit subscribe yield
WEAK
be game for cave in cry uncle enter into give the green light go along with play ball roll over and play dead throw in the towel
Antonyms
STRONG
decline deny disagree disallow disapprove dispute dissent forbid hinder hold impede keep obstruct oppose prevent protest refuse reject repel repudiate resist veto
WEAK
condemn demur denounce
VERB
accept
Synonyms
STRONGEST
acknowledge admit adopt affirm approve assume buy comply recognize sign undertake
STRONG
accede acquiesce assent avow bear okay
WEAK
agree to check out concur with cooperate with give stamp of approval give the green light give the nod go for lap up rubber-stamp set store by sign off on take on take one up on thumbs-up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
deny disapprove oppose refuse reject repudiate
STRONG
condemn disagree dissent protest
WEAK
blackball decline demur disallow discard dispute renounce
VERB
agree
Synonyms
STRONGEST
acknowledge admit allow comply concede concur grant recognize set settle sign
STRONG
accede acquiesce check consent engage okay permit subscribe
WEAK
be of the same mind bury the hatchet buy into clinch the deal come to terms cut a deal give blessing give carte blanche give green light go along with make a deal pass on play ball see eye to eye shake on side with take one up on yes
Antonyms
STRONGEST
contradict deny disagree disapprove dispute dissent oppose refuse reject repudiate resist
STRONG
object protest
WEAK
contend decline differ
VERB
allow
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 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
authorize
Synonyms
STRONGEST
empower enable entitle license okay
STRONG
accredit bless commission invest vest
WEAK
give authority give the green light give the word rubber-stamp say the word
Antonyms
STRONGEST
refuse reject
STRONG
deny disapprove
WEAK
disallow
VERB
confirm
Synonyms
STRONGEST
affirm approve back certify corroborate endorse establish explain sign substantiate support uphold verify
STRONG
attest authenticate bless buy check circumstantiate debunk double-check justify okay sanction settle subscribe underpin vouch warrant witness
WEAK
bear out check out give green light give high sign give stamp of approval give the nod lap up make good make sure rubber-stamp sign off on size up thumbs-up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
confuse contradict deny disallow disapprove discredit disprove invalidate oppose refuse reject
STRONG
disagree refute veto
WEAK
annul cancel destroy repudiate void
VERB
endorse
Synonyms
STRONGEST
advocate affirm approve back commend confirm defend favor okay praise ratify recommend sanction uphold
STRONG
accredit attest authenticate bless boost certify champion countenance guarantee push second sustain underwrite warrant witness
WEAK
back up give a boost to give green light give one's word give the nod go along with go to bat for go with lend one's name to rubber-stamp stand behind stand up for stump for subscribe to vouch for
Antonyms
STRONGEST
attack censure criticize deny disagree disapprove discourage dissuade invalidate oppose refuse reject renounce veto
STRONG
halt
WEAK
protest repel unauthorize
VERB
okay
Synonyms
STRONGEST
authorize notarize
STRONG
OK accept accredit approve certify condone confirm endorse pass sanction
WEAK
consent to give one's consent give the green light rubber-stamp say yes to
Antonyms
STRONG
censure contradict deny disagree disallow disapprove invalidate oppose prevent refuse reject repudiate veto
VERB
sanction
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accredit allow approve certify empower endorse permit ratify warrant
STRONG
back bless commission countenance license okay support
WEAK
get behind give the green light give the nod go for vouch for
Antonyms
STRONGEST
deny disagree disallow disapprove invalidate oppose protest refuse reject revoke
STRONG
discourage veto
WEAK
prevent
VERB
validate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
approve certify confirm corroborate endorse justify legalize legitimize ratify substantiate verify
STRONG
authenticate authorize constitute okay sanction
WEAK
John Hancock bear out give stamp of approval give the green light give the nod make binding make legal make stick rubber-stamp set seal on sign off on
Antonyms
STRONGEST
contradict deny disagree disallow disapprove discredit disprove invalidate oppose refuse reject repudiate veto

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.

An earlier version of this article incorrectly said the regulator had yet to give the go-ahead.

From Barron's • Dec. 12, 2025

It is understood the oil companies will accept that the decision to give the go-ahead was unlawful - because the emissions they would create were not properly assessed - and will not challenge it.

From BBC • Nov. 11, 2024

London's High Court refused to give the go-ahead to a legal challenge against housing people on the barge earlier this month.

From Reuters • Oct. 19, 2023

The club would also have to give the go-ahead to any sale were the investor to find a third party willing to buy his share.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 6, 2022

Given all the benefits, and all the risks, would they give the go-ahead for the surgery?

From "Ugly" by Robert Hoge