1
as in permits
to give permission for or to approve of flash photography is not allowed inside the church
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2
as in lets
to give permission to a boarding school that does not allow students to go on weekend trips without written permission
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3
as in tolerates
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
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4
as in admits
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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5
as in allots
to give as a share or portion allowed each camper one match to light his fire
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6
as in enables
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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7
as in reflects
to make a statement of one's opinion he allowed that their new house looked very nice
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8
as in believes
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
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9
as in intends
chiefly Southern & Midland to have in mind as a purpose or goal I allow to go hunting before the season is over
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of allows At stake is Section 702 of FISA, which allows intelligence agencies to collect vast overseas communications without warrants, sometimes catching Americans’ private data. —
Joey Cappelletti, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026 Negotiations could center around one particular aspect of the complex deal that allows certain shareholders to receive an all-cash payment at a lower valuation. —Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2026 That balance between structure and freedom is what allows Larter to fully inhabit Angela. —Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026 State law allows an exception provided the governor declares a fiscal emergency and the budget is adopted with a 60% majority in both the House and Senate. —Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2026 That might be partially thanks to the seismic engineering by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, which allows the building to sway five feet in any direction without comprising its structural integrity. —Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 17 Apr. 2026 That forces Edwards to surrender the ball, but allows his teammates to play 4-on-3 offense on the backside. —Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 17 Apr. 2026 The new law allows Britain to extend the reach of its criminal jurisdiction to crack down on migrants making the dangerous crossing. —ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026 Wage garnishment allows a creditor to intercept a portion of your earnings directly from your employer before you're ever paid. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
Joey Cappelletti, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026 Negotiations could center around one particular aspect of the complex deal that allows certain shareholders to receive an all-cash payment at a lower valuation. —Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2026 That balance between structure and freedom is what allows Larter to fully inhabit Angela. —Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026 State law allows an exception provided the governor declares a fiscal emergency and the budget is adopted with a 60% majority in both the House and Senate. —Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2026 That might be partially thanks to the seismic engineering by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, which allows the building to sway five feet in any direction without comprising its structural integrity. —Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 17 Apr. 2026 That forces Edwards to surrender the ball, but allows his teammates to play 4-on-3 offense on the backside. —Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 17 Apr. 2026 The new law allows Britain to extend the reach of its criminal jurisdiction to crack down on migrants making the dangerous crossing. —ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026 Wage garnishment allows a creditor to intercept a portion of your earnings directly from your employer before you're ever paid. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for allows
Verb
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The 2025 Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act, or HEAR Act, expands on a 2016 law, signed by President Barack Obama, that permits victims and descendants of victims of the Holocaust to lay legal claim to works of art looted by the Nazis or sold to the Nazis under false pretenses.— Jackie Hajdenberg, Sun Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026
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The Screening Partnership Program, or SPP, permits airports to apply for private companies to provide airport security screening at their checkpoints.— Sheldon H. Jacobson, Twin Cities, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Kevin McKidd lets his red curly locs flow while filming a remake of Highlander at Eilean Donan Castle in Scotland on April 15.— Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
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In the wake of this rejection by a man who’s only ever disappointed her, Clive lets a host of emotions run over her face.— Erin Qualey, Vulture, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Kale tolerates light freezes and cold temperatures enhance the flavor of their foliage.— Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2026
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Holly tolerates mild drought once established.— Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Reina Friedman Watts, who appears in the documentary as one of the former producers on The Jerry Springer Show, admits that background checks were not performed on contestants.— Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 18 Apr. 2026
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Mohan admits she had been distracted by personal problems, and wishes Robby well on his sabbatical.— Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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When a team allots minutes to so many young players simultaneously, lapses in concentration and on-court mistakes are bound to happen.— Josh Robbins, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This method enables the layer-by-layer assembly of atomic structures under extreme oxidation conditions.— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 17 Apr. 2026
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The one nation that could restrain his worst impulses — us — enables them instead.— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The wave of towers reflects growing demand for luxury real estate and signals Miami’s ambitions as a global city, developers say.— Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
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Each edition reflects the voice and perspective of the person writing it.— Angela Fritz, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Toma believes this series could be a springboard not only for him but the whole team.— Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026
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Guggenheim also believes that the consciousness switch, once flipped, cannot be turned off.— Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Allows.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/allows. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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