authorize
verb
au·tho·rize ˈȯ-thə-ˌrīz 
authorized; authorizing; authorizes
transitive verb
1
: to endorse, empower, justify, or permit by or as if by some recognized or proper authority (such as custom, evidence, personal right, or regulating power)
a custom authorized by time
2
: to invest especially with legal authority : empower
He is authorized to act for his father.
3
archaic : justify sense 1a
authorizer noun
Synonyms
- accredit
- certify
- charter [British]
- commission
- empower
- enable
- invest
- license
- licence
- qualify
- vest
- warrant
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The city council authorized the sale of the land. Who authorized the transfer of the funds?
Recent Examples on the Web And recently, Congress passed legislation to authorize the global war on terrorism memorial. 
CBS News, 7 Sep. 2022 Although Dereck was arrested for public intoxication and driving with an open container, he wasn’t charged with drug trafficking (or any other crime that would authorize civil forfeiture). Nick Sibilla, Forbes, 15 Aug. 2022 The rivers alliance is lobbying for legislation that would authorize the governor to mandate statewide restrictions on outdoor, non-essential water use in certain circumstances. Katie Mogg, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Aug. 2022 In the hours leading up to the start of the games, the city asked Gov. Kay Ivey to declare a state of emergency, which would authorize emergency expenditures. al, 19 July 2022 Aides said on Monday the committee will also look at White House advisers who had information indicating there could be violence on Jan. 6 and more about those who would not authorize Trump's trip to the Capitol. Katherine Faulders, ABC News, 12 July 2022 The state of Florida, for example, filed legislation to authorize Reviver's plates in early 2021, and the Colorado House of Representatives is also working on approving the plates. Sebastian Blanco, Car and Driver, 12 June 2022 The first step was to bring his case to a regional outpost of the Office of Mental Health, where a local committee would decide whether to forward it to a second committee, which can authorize kids to be placed in residential treatment facilities. ProPublica, 9 June 2022 Atlanta City Council has drafted an ordinance that would authorize Mayor Andre Dickens to execute ... Wilborn P. Nobles Iii, ajc, 19 May 2022 See More
CBS News, 7 Sep. 2022 Although Dereck was arrested for public intoxication and driving with an open container, he wasn’t charged with drug trafficking (or any other crime that would authorize civil forfeiture). Nick Sibilla, Forbes, 15 Aug. 2022 The rivers alliance is lobbying for legislation that would authorize the governor to mandate statewide restrictions on outdoor, non-essential water use in certain circumstances. Katie Mogg, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Aug. 2022 In the hours leading up to the start of the games, the city asked Gov. Kay Ivey to declare a state of emergency, which would authorize emergency expenditures. al, 19 July 2022 Aides said on Monday the committee will also look at White House advisers who had information indicating there could be violence on Jan. 6 and more about those who would not authorize Trump's trip to the Capitol. Katherine Faulders, ABC News, 12 July 2022 The state of Florida, for example, filed legislation to authorize Reviver's plates in early 2021, and the Colorado House of Representatives is also working on approving the plates. Sebastian Blanco, Car and Driver, 12 June 2022 The first step was to bring his case to a regional outpost of the Office of Mental Health, where a local committee would decide whether to forward it to a second committee, which can authorize kids to be placed in residential treatment facilities. ProPublica, 9 June 2022 Atlanta City Council has drafted an ordinance that would authorize Mayor Andre Dickens to execute ... Wilborn P. Nobles Iii, ajc, 19 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
see author entry 1
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3
Kids Definition
authorize
verb
au·tho·rize ˈȯ-thə-ˌrīz
authorized; authorizing
1
: to give power to : give authority to
2
: to give legal or official approval to
Who authorized the closing of school?
Legal Definition
authorize
transitive verb
au·tho·rize ˈȯ-thə-ˌrīz
authorized; authorizing
1
: to give permission to
2
: to give authority to act to
authorizes
verb
1
as in enables
to give official or legal power to only the school nurse is authorized to give any necessary shots Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- enables
- empowers
- qualifies
- certifies
- permits
- entitles
- allows
- licenses
- invests
- warrants
- approves
- accredits
- commissions
- endorses
- vests
- charters
- affirms
- confirms
- initiates
- validates
- licences
- sanctions
- indorses
- okays
- installs
- inaugurates
- lets
- inducts
- credentials
- OKs
- instates
- clears
- privileges
- swears in
- enfranchises
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- disqualifies
- prevents
- excludes
- denies
- disallows
- prohibits
- discourages
- inhibits
- hinders
- impedes
- forbids
- obstructs
- constrains
- stops
- blocks
- bans
- proscribes
- enjoins
- holds back
- bars
- vetoes
- disenfranchises
- disbars
- outlaws
- disfranchises
- shuts out
- interdicts
2
as in entitles
to give a right to this pass will authorize you to go backstage Synonyms & Similar Words
- entitles
- qualifies
- enables
- empowers
- permits
- allows
- approves
- privileges
- endorses
- licenses
- certifies
- ratifies
- lets
- legitimizes
- indorses
- validates
- certificates
- accredits
- enfranchises
- recertifies
- warrants
- sanctions
- licences
- charters
- reapproves
- revalidates
- reaccredits
- recharters
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- disqualifies
- forbids
- disables
- proscribes
- disallows
- invalidates
- nullifies
- disenfranchises
- disempowers
- decertifies
- delegitimizes
3
as in approves
to give official acceptance of as satisfactory a system for sound reproduction that has been authorized as meeting the electronic industry's highest standards Synonyms & Similar Words
- approves
- ratifies
- confirms
- endorses
- finalizes
- accepts
- acknowledges
- formalizes
- sanctions
- warrants
- accredits
- okays
- affirms
- signs
- certifies
- clears
- OKs
- enables
- permits
- approbates
- blesses
- validates
- homologates
- allows
- legalizes
- sanctifies
- indorses
- passes
- licenses
- canonizes
- initials
- rubber-stamps
- reapproves
- signs off (on)
- licences
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- denies
- prohibits
- rejects
- disallows
- forbids
- disapproves
- declines
- vetoes
- proscribes
- enjoins
- ignores
- bans
- refuses
- neglects
- disregards
- negatives
- overlooks
- turns down
- interdicts
- illegalizes
- spurns
- rebuts
- rebuffs
- cater (to)
- cater for
- cater to
- cater-cousin
- cateran
- caterans
- catercorner
- catercornered
- catered
- catered (to)
- catered to
- caterer
- caterers
- cateress
- cateresses
- caterina de' medici
- catering
- catering (to)
- catering to
- caterings
- caterpillar
- caterpillar fungus
- caterpillar hunter
- caterpillar tread
- caterpillar-eater