1
as in to allow
to give permission for or to approve of
the school won't permit such an activity on its grounds
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to let
to give permission to
you are not permitted to swim at the town pond without a season pass
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to enable
to make able or possible
we'll have our picnic on Thursday, weather permitting
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
the college permits way too much drinking, in my opinion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in patent
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 permit
Joe Brandt, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Sports leagues permitted daily fantasy sports, deeming them games of skill, not chance.
—Michael Delayo, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2026
Joe Brandt, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
In addition, the city will receive $10 million when the first building permit is issued and another $45 million when the first building walls go up.
—Deborah Laverty, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for permit
Verb
Businesses must first apply for a Philadelphia 250 permit from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, and ownership and management must attend a training session in person to be permitted to open with extended hours.
—Joe Brandt, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Sports leagues permitted daily fantasy sports, deeming them games of skill, not chance.
—Michael Delayo, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
Businesses must first apply for a Philadelphia 250 permit from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, and ownership and management must attend a training session in person to be permitted to open with extended hours.
—Joe Brandt, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
In addition, the city will receive $10 million when the first building permit is issued and another $45 million when the first building walls go up.
—Deborah Laverty, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for permit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for permit
Verb
-
Because the property was given special permission to build here and to date, is the only structure in Gion allowed to be above the legal limit of 39 feet.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Spencer Knight stopped 31 shots for Chicago, and Arvid Soderblom made four saves and allowed a goal while Knight dealt with an equipment issue.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In a 3-2 loss to the Phillies, Manager Blake Butera uses a reliever for one inning before letting starter Zack Littell work five.—
Danielle Allentuck,
Washington Post,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Choose honesty, and let support flow in.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That vision of worldwide economic and cultural interdependence that enabled the proliferation of biennials in the ’90s has been steadily eroding amid the recent rise in nativism and far-right movements in the United States and Europe.—
Smooth Nzewi,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Shackelford accused Hernandez of corruption, and her own department of enabling and covering it up, in a detailed whistleblower complaint to DeSantis’ Chief Inspector General.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Fungi thrive in harsh environments, tolerate extremes that would destroy most organisms, and can continually grow and repair themselves over time.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
-
However, some cats—especially those with thick, insulating fur like Maine Coons or Norwegian Forest cats—can tolerate and even enjoy playing in snow.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Francis’ patent drawing has a complete spoon bowl with tines appearing out the front.—
James Stout,
Outside,
29 Mar. 2026
-
That year, the region also generated almost two-thirds of the world’s biotech patent grants, more than five times what came out of Europe.—
Angelica Ang,
Fortune,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Kings never had the defensive activity to disrupt them much.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Political experts have also pointed out that Proposition 50 passed with a wide margin, with 64% of of voters approving the measure, so the investigation wouldn't have any impact on the results.—
Laurie Perez,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This is a youngster in great form and proving hard to ignore.—
Simon Johnson,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Some Democrats argue that the cost of ignoring young male voters is higher than the risk of association with Piker.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The southern Oregon Cascades, north of Howard Prairie Lake, and the eastern Douglas county foothills (above 3000 feet), including the passes along Highways 140, 62, 138, 230, and 58, could see between 10 and 20 inches of snow and 40 mph winds from Wednesday morning into Thursday afternoon.—
Amanda Greenwood,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Season passes are $65, $60 for seniors 60 and older, $40 for children 3-10.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Permit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/permit. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
