give the green light

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 go-ahead 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

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 go-ahead 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

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 go-ahead 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 go-ahead give the word rubber-stamp say the word

Antonyms

STRONGEST

refuse reject

STRONG

deny disapprove

WEAK

disallow

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 go-ahead 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 go-ahead 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 go-ahead 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.

Trump deferred to the Pentagon on when it was best to give the green light, a senior administration official said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 4, 2026

If Bitcoin can break above $90,000, that could give the green light to a more sustained recovery.

From Barron's • Nov. 25, 2025

Buses began operating from the new station five weeks ago but it took longer for safety authorities to give the green light to the new rail system.

From BBC • Oct. 12, 2024

The Commission’s recommendation will be discussed by EU member countries who must give the green light before the executive arm can start negotiations with the UK.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 18, 2024

The world's biggest cryptocurrency has leapt 28% in October, with investors betting U.S. regulators will give the green light for a spot bitcoin ETF and thereby unleash a new wave of demand.

From Reuters • Oct. 31, 2023

give the green light

Example Sentences

Related Words