let 1 of 2

verb

ˈlet How to pronounce let (audio)
Definition of letnext
1
as in to allow
to give permission to my parents would not let me drive until I had a job and could pay for my own gas

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to rent
chiefly British to give the possession and use of (something) in return for periodic payment the pensioner has begun letting rooms in her home to earn some extra money

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to enable
to make able or possible the low gravity on the moon lets you make enormous leaps and jumps

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to tolerate
to fail to prevent (some behavior on someone's part) especially from neglect or indifference they let their kids get away with murder

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

let

2 of 2

noun

as in obstacle
something that makes movement or progress difficult artists are allowed to sell their goods in the public square without let or hindrance

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word let different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of let are charter, hire, lease, and rent. While all these words mean "to engage or grant for use at a price," hire and let, strictly speaking, are complementary terms, hire implying the act of engaging or taking for use and let the granting of use.

we hired a car for the summer
decided to let the cottage to a young couple

When is it sensible to use charter instead of let?

While the synonyms charter and let are close in meaning, charter applies to the hiring or letting of a vehicle usually for exclusive use.

charter a bus to go to the game

When could lease be used to replace let?

The words lease and let can be used in similar contexts, but lease strictly implies a letting under the terms of a contract but is often applied to hiring on a lease.

the diplomat leased an apartment for a year

When might rent be a better fit than let?

Although the words rent and let have much in common, rent stresses the payment of money for the full use of property and may imply either hiring or letting.

instead of buying a house, they decided to rent
will not rent to families with children

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 let
Verb
The first launch attempt on Wednesday, though, was delayed by two days by another SpaceX issue when the clamp holding the Falcon 9 wouldn’t let go. — Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2025 Now that Auburn, Duke, Houston and Florida have earned the top seeds in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, let the betting begin. — Karen Weaver, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025 To highlight the issue, the company released a quiz along with the study that lets anyone test their deepfake-spotting skills. — Leslie Katz, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025 Legislators and local officials could change some of this and let the stricken communities try to recapture their former character. — Thomas Elias, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for let
Recent Examples of Synonyms for let
  1. allow
  2. rent
  3. enable
  4. tolerate
  5. obstacle
  6. permit
  7. lease
  8. ignore
Verb
  • But the common perception that international players can’t use NIL at all is wrong: Their NIL income just has to be passive income—the T-shirt sales allow the overseas portion of the Lions’ roster to benefit as well.
    — Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 20 Mar. 2025
  • This privilege would allow the government to refuse to provide evidence that a court requests because doing so could harm U.S. national security or foreign relations.
    — Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of allow
Verb
  • After the ruling, the Barnetts rented an apartment in Lafayette, Indiana and, according to court documents, left Natalia there to fend for herself.
    — Fortesa Latifi, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Morena Baccarin plays Inara Serra, a licensed Companion (a high-status courtesan) who rents one of Serenity’s shuttles as her private quarters and place of business.
    — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of rent
Verb
  • Translated, money’s sole purpose is as an agreement about value among wealth producers that enables them to exchange wealth of roughly equal value with each other.
    — John Tamny, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Solutions like these improve health and education outcomes, empower women, and enable families to thrive, transforming their futures.
    — Matt Damon, TIME, 22 Mar. 2025
Definition of enable
Verb
  • The Netherlands has about 570 coffeeshops across 102 municipalities, where the sale of cannabis is tolerated under strict conditions.
    — Dario Sabaghi, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Don’t Hesitate to Prune Significantly Butterfly bush tolerates extreme pruning with ease.
    — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of tolerate
Noun
  • Take Calculated Risks; Start Lean Entrepreneurs should welcome uncertainty as a catalyst, not an obstacle.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
  • In Region 4 in Spokane, the biggest obstacle facing the No. 2 seed Huskies is No. 1 seed USC — which defeated UConn in Hartford in December.
    — Scott Phillips, The Athletic, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of obstacle
Verb
  • If time permits, lock your home upon departure and disconnect utilities and appliances.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacramento Bee, 15 Mar. 2025
  • And, not all gold products qualify (collectible coins are usually not permitted).
    — Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of permit
Verb
  • The Celtics lease the arena from Delaware North, which owns the Bruins, and thus do not receive revenue from other events held there.
    — Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Applicants must purchase property for $406,000 or lease for $15,100 per year for five years, plus fees and donations.
    — Alex Ledsom, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of lease
Verb
  • Many such studies ignore, rather than seriously examine, biological realities.
    — Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Yet there’s no ignoring the fact that the Rockies would’ve loved to have Brito penciled in as their second baseman this year.
    — Daniel R. Epstein, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Definition of ignore

Phrases Containing let

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lessors
let
let alone
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Cite this Entry

“Let.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/let. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on let

Nglish: Translation of let for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about let

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