1
as in to let
to make able or possible
my new glasses enable me to read the fine print
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
The lapse of the snapback mechanism—a provision of the 2015 nuclear deal that enables the United States to restore UN Security Council sanctions on Iran—in October 2025 could provide a deadline for U.S.-Iranian negotiations.
—
Dennis Ross, Foreign Affairs, 3 Feb. 2025
However, Trace recently called out his little brother for seemingly enabling his dad.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez, Fox News, 2 Feb. 2025
This change enabled her to view her development as planned and targeted.
2.
—Tinna Jackson, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
When those conditions change, the chemicals are not strong enough to enable them to actually withstand the enormous pressures and the enormous changes that have happened.
—Ari Daniel, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for enable 
Dennis Ross, Foreign Affairs, 3 Feb. 2025
However, Trace recently called out his little brother for seemingly enabling his dad.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez, Fox News, 2 Feb. 2025
This change enabled her to view her development as planned and targeted.
2.
—Tinna Jackson, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
When those conditions change, the chemicals are not strong enough to enable them to actually withstand the enormous pressures and the enormous changes that have happened.
—Ari Daniel, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for enable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enable
Verb
-
Reform can happen, if the Council acts and if Speaker Adams let it.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
8 Feb. 2025
-
Lafrenière, at the end of a 1:14 shift — longer than normal but not exactly taxing — coasted and let Rakell get a step on him.—
Arthur Staple,
The Athletic,
8 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
This solution not only assists brands in building the infrastructure of their WeChat shops but also strategically deploys traffic touchpoints, empowering brands to achieve counter-cyclical growth within the Tencent ecosystem.—
Li Jun,
WWD,
9 Feb. 2025
-
Herrero added that her time battling for a position in that strained creative process empowered her to create a space for herself.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
28 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The company plans to finish manufacturing its remaining 15 Atlas V rockets within a few months, allowing the factory in Decatur, Alabama, to focus solely on producing Vulcan launch vehicles.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
11 Feb. 2025
-
But if that report card provided a grainy Polaroid of what's happening in schools, the Education Recovery Scorecard offers a high-resolution digital photo, allowing researchers to zoom in to student learning at the district level in some 8,700 school districts.—
Cory Turner,
NPR,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Rapid firings and hirings across agencies may create uncertainty about who is authorized to access key systems.—
Sam Sabin,
Axios,
11 Feb. 2025
-
There’s a difference, for instance, between an administrative warrant, which does not legally authorize officers to search school grounds, and a criminal warrant or judicial order, which may serve exactly that purpose.—
Imani Cruzen,
Twin Cities,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Friday’s loss pushed Miami down a spot in the Eastern standings, to seventh, which would mean needing to qualify for a playoff spot through the play-in for a third consecutive year.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
8 Feb. 2025
-
Eliminate the debate about Manning’s worthiness to qualify the Hall of Fame, though, and there is no need to name the negatives.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
7 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near enable
Cite this Entry
“Enable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enable. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share