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Antonyms for allow

Grammar : Verb
Spell : uh-lou
Phonetic Transcription : əˈlaʊ


Definition of allow

Origin :
  • early 14c., allouen, "to commend, praise; approve of, be pleased with; appreciate the value of;" also, "take into account or give credit for," also, in law and philosophy, "recognize, admit as valid" (a privilege, an excuse, a statement, etc.). From late 14c. as "sanction or permit; condone;" in business use from early 15c.
  • The Middle English word is from Anglo-French alouer, Old French aloer, alloiier (13c.) "allot, apportion, bestow, assign," from Latin allocare (see allocate). This word in Old French was confused and ultimately merged with aloer; alloer "to praise, commend," from Latin allaudare, adlaudare, compound of ad- "to" (see ad-) + laudare "to praise" (see laud). From the first word came the sense preserved in allowance as "money granted;" from the second came its meaning "permission based on approval."
  • Between the two primary significations there naturally arose a variety of uses blending them in the general idea of assign with approval, grant, concede a thing claimed or urged, admit a thing offered, permit, etc., etc. [OED].
  • Related: Allowed; allowing.
  • verb admit; acknowledge
  • verb permit an action
  • verb set aside
Example sentences :
  • Accept them for a dowry; and allow me to claim one privilege in return.
  • Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
  • He worships every handsome woman, who will allow herself to be polluted by his incense.
  • Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
  • The King of course could not allow one of his subjects to outdo him in such a matter.
  • Extract from : « Ancient Man » by Hendrik Willem van Loon
  • Austin, who did not see the allusion, had to allow Dick to speak for himself.
  • Extract from : « Viviette » by William J. Locke
  • Andrew paused in the shallows to allow Sally one swallow; then he went on.
  • Extract from : « Way of the Lawless » by Max Brand
  • I beg your pardon, miss, but will you allow me to make one remark!
  • Extract from : « Weighed and Wanting » by George MacDonald
  • There was in it too much solace to allow of its being difficult.
  • Extract from : « The Conquest of Fear » by Basil King
  • You must allow there are some who never find a use for their special gifts.
  • Extract from : « Weighed and Wanting » by George MacDonald
  • But would you not allow that the time comes when nothing can be done with them?
  • Extract from : « Weighed and Wanting » by George MacDonald
  • Not of so much as is naturally involved in marriage, I allow.
  • Extract from : « Weighed and Wanting » by George MacDonald

Synonyms for allow

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019