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Glite Dictionary
to authorize

to authorize

489 4.4
To give official permission for someone to do something
  • verb
  • /ˈɔːθəˌraɪz/
translation icon : autorizar
  • Today I'm authorizing additional strong sanctions and new limitations on what can be exported to Russia.
  • Congress authorized
  • an act authorizing
  • authorize an appropriation

And because they're more into authorizing shows like CSI.

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Examples

  • The FDA has officially authorized new COVID boosters that for the first time target the Omicron variants.

  • The manager will authorize the budget plan before the end of the week.

  • You are the only person authorized to do so.

    Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

  • I authorize you to be the agent for the sale of all survivors.

    Spartacus (1960)

  • I am sorry, those are the only available options unless an authorized key is presented.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • Finally, in February of 1997, the Commission authorized putting this product on the market.

    Academic text (1999)

  • The Los Angeles school board has authorized a pay raise for teachers.

    The China Syndrome (1979)

  • In doing so, you would be instructing and authorizing him to act on your behalf.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • She authorized her assistant to handle the client calls while she was away.

  • To proceed with the project, we need to authorize the necessary expenses.

Synonyms

to allow
vsto authorize
∞ 1.0

To let something happen or let someone do something

requires formal approval and actively gives authority, not just passive inaction
to grant
vsto authorize
  • Formal
565 3.3

To officially give permission, rights, or money to someone

focuses on giving permission or power rather than material or monetary benefits
to permit
vsto authorize
531 1.5

To allow someone to do something

is an official act that grants authority, not only general allowance
to clear
vsto authorize
  • Formal
209 5.5

To get official permission or approval

focuses on granting authority or permission rather than only processing approval
to empower
vsto authorize
157 4.2

Give someone the power and confidence to do something

does this officially as a formal permission rather than mainly adding confidence
to license
vsto authorize
156 3.4

To give official permission to do something after checking qualifications

does the same without requiring formal checks
to sanction
vsto authorize
  • Formal
53 6.3

To give official permission for something

also gives someone the power or authority to act, not only approval
to okay
vsto authorize
18 3.1

To give official permission to proceed

conveys official permission and often grants real authority to act
to officialize
vsto authorize
  • US
1 7.0

To give something formal approval from someone in charge

grants authority or permission to act, not merely changing official status
to O.K.
vsto authorize
2.3

To give permission to start or use something

typically creates legal or functional power to proceed rather than just endorsement

Antonyms

to prohibit
299 3.3

To officially say that something is not allowed by law

to forbid
60 2.8

Stop something from happening

How Permissive

to empower
157 4.2
to authorize
489 4.4
to sanction
  • Formal
53 6.3
to permit
531 1.5
to allow
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

authorize infinitive
authorized past
authorized past participle
authorizing present participle
authorizes third person singular

Morphology

authorize = authority (semi-transparent) = author + ize

The verb means 'give authority' and is formed with the verb-forming suffix -ize, but form differences and similarity to 'author' can mislead learners about the exact base.

Etymology

The word authorize comes from the same root as author and authority, words about being 'in charge' or having 'power'. So to authorize is to give official 'permission' or the 'power' to do something.