enable

verb

i-ˈnā-bəl How to pronounce enable (audio)
Definition of enablenext
1
as in to let
to make able or possible my new glasses enable me to read the fine print

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to empower
to give official or legal power to a law that would enable the authorities to inspect food preparation areas for health code violations

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 enable Letting employees make mistakes and take ownership of success is critical to enabling timely decisions, especially in front of customers. — Guy Yehiav, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026 The money will enable the school to add 2,000 seats, new bathrooms, a concession stand and press box. — Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 5 Oct. 2026 The decision on whether to enable Northwestern’s plans came down to Evanston’s City Council, which in October 2023 tied at a preliminary vote. — Shun Graves, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026 The connection is for power only, however, enabling the speaker batteries to charge while attached. — M. David Stone, PC Magazine, 4 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for enable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enable
  1. let
  2. empower
  3. allow
  4. authorize
  5. qualify
Verb
  • Get absorbed in work, movement, or a project that lets your energy become productive instead of argumentative.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
  • This structure lets Soros money flow into organizations that can concentrate spending on competitive races as Democrats face a fundraising gap with Republicans.
    — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of let
Verb
  • Is the integration management office strategically empowered with the authority, accountability and federated PMO ecosystem needed to orchestrate people, partners and workstreams across both entities through go-live?
    — Tipu Usha Vaithee Swaran, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
  • As a result, one of the oldest dilemmas facing autocrats is how to empower agents to carry out orders without also enabling them to turn against their leader.
    — Seva Gunitsky, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of empower
Verb
  • The button placement is great for beginners and allows new users to start straight away before moving up to more advanced shooting.
    — Harry Bennett, Space.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Cheaper and more plentiful computing power would allow AI agents to proliferate, Hayes said.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of allow
Verb
  • The co-pilot has been identified as Hamam al-Hammami, according to three people with knowledge of the situation, including a Gulf and a Western diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
  • In Texas, Waymo had 1,154 autonomous vehicles authorized for commercial use as of Friday, including 359 of its new Ojai models, which feature a low step and doors that slide open and shut.
    — Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of authorize
Verb
  • By state law, the California State University, California Community Colleges and all higher education institutions that qualify for Cal Grant financial aid must adopt these policies.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Through it all, Pi-o and Jeong-yo’s intense, often tender relationship serves as a throughline, bringing many viewers to question if the Netflix series qualifies as a boys’ love (aka BL) drama.
    — Kayti Burt, Time, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of qualify

Browse Nearby Words

emulsions
enable
enabled
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Cite this Entry

“Enable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enable. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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