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 Space is a crucial enabling force in the modern world, touching just about every part of ordinary life. — Martin Halliwell, Space.com, 3 Aug. 2026 The dual hub enables competitive fares and a multitude of options for travelers who only have so much time and money to spend on a vacation. — Ray Lahood, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026 Human control and drone swarms The drone strike kits would also enable SkyFall’s Shrike drones to receive future software updates that could enable a single human operator to command an autonomous swarm of drones to attack targets. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 3 Aug. 2026 Blast Mode Players can also enable a Blast Mode on the mouse, which locks sensor sampling at 20,000 frames per second for a more consistent and high-frequency tracking. — Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for enable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enable
  1. let
  2. empower
  3. allow
  4. authorize
  5. qualify
Verb
  • Ceuta’s residents recalled a similar but smaller migration crisis in 2021, when the Moroccan government dropped its border controls and let several thousand people from Morocco and sub-Saharan countries into Ceuta over two days.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The changes beef up requirements for registering vacant properties with the city, including owners letting the city know their intent going forward.
    — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of let
Verb
  • The Brownsville home of late Miami civil rights activist Enid Pinkney, the historian and preservationist who was a fierce advocate for empowering and preserving Black communities, is being flipped.
    — Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
  • Our campus exists to protect, educate, and empower every student.
    — James Hill, ABC News, 30 July 2026
Definition of empower
Verb
  • Kremer has allowed 12 home runs in seven starts this year, avoiding a home run in only one of those turns and ceding multiple homers in three of them.
    — Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Cannabis is native to Nepal and is widely used during festivals, and activists in Nepal have been trying to get the government to change the law to allow it.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of allow
Verb
  • The Saudis, according to the person briefed on the substance of the call but not authorized to comment publicly, are concerned that Tehran could respond with attacks on the energy infrastructure of the kingdom and other Gulf countries.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The source said Twins chairman Tom Pohlad has authorized general manager Jeremy Zoll to add even more payroll if necessary.
    — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of authorize
Verb
  • In order to qualify for disability benefits at PreCheck, veterans must be deemed disability eligible by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 July 2026
  • The same caps would apply to second homes, which do not qualify for a homestead exemption.
    — Abigail Hall, The Conversation, 30 July 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 6 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on enable

Nglish: Translation of enable for Spanish Speakers

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