permit
Usage
What are other ways to say permit?
Both verbs that imply granting or conceding the right of someone to do something, permit and allow are often interchangeable, but permit is the more positive of the two. Permit suggests formal or implied assent or authorization. Allow implies complete absence of an attempt, or even an intent, to hinder. Let is the familiar, conversational term for both allow and permit.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Still, she said she doubts the attorney general would permit a fair investigation of his own conduct.
From Salon ● Jul. 18, 2026
Under the ETS, Europe's industries and power plants are required to buy a permit, or allowance, for every tonne of carbon dioxide they emit, creating a financial incentive to invest in cleaner technologies.
From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026
In November, Massachusetts voters will vote on a ballot initiative to reverse the state’s legalization of recreational sales, though it would still permit personal possession of small amounts.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026
Most notably, they permit sex segregation in school athletics by sometimes requiring the creation of boys’ teams and girls’ teams.
From Slate ● Jul. 15, 2026
Paul didn’t want problems with the authorities, so early in the planning process she met with the District of Columbia’s police superintendent, Richard Sylvester, to obtain a parade permit.
From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling
The Commission would also offer 80% of free permits up front to companies with plans to invest in decarbonisation in Europe.
From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026
New York became the first US state to halt construction of new large-scale data centers on Tuesday, with the governor signing an executive order pausing permits for up to one year.
From Barron's ● Jul. 14, 2026
They had already waited four agonizing days for Venezuela’s bureaucracy to approve permits for them to enter.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026
The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety does not identify prefab projects in its building permits, a spokesman said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 7, 2026
“The laws of this state permit the hearing of evidence to ascertain the degree of responsibility. And, also, the law permits the offering of evidence toward the mitigation of punishment.”
From "Native Son" by Richard Wright
The second Red Bull of Isack Hadjar was fourth fastest, 0.252secs slower than Verstappen, as it emerged that he Frenchman will have a 10-place grid penalty for exceeding his permitted number of engines.
From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026
It often features women in roles that wouldn’t have been permitted by clerics in previous times.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026
Barrett noted that the justices aren’t permitted to accept gifts from litigants before the court, and any gifts they do accept around $500, by statute, have to be reported on their financial disclosures.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026
Under customary international law, states are not generally permitted to charge tolls on straits used for international navigation.
From Barron's ● Jul. 11, 2026
He lost his Moscow home and luxurious dachas but was permitted a quiet, comfortable retirement.
From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin
The judge noted that any exemption permitting the use of cannabis for religious purposes would require a sound constitutional and legal foundation.
From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2026
It handles design, permitting, transportation and installation but farms the construction to large producers such as Champion Homes, a manufacturer that works with multiple retailers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 7, 2026
The White House in July 2025 announced an “AI Action Plan” aimed at providing a blueprint for winning the artificial intelligence race, including streamlined permitting for data-center development and chip factories.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026
Princeton, the spokesperson added, maintains policies that “prevent outside funders from exercising undue influence over research,” including not permitting sponsors to have veto power over publications.
From Salon ● Jun. 26, 2026
If a long head start counts for anything, why didn’t guns and steel arise first in Africa, permitting Africans and their germs to conquer Europe?
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
Vocabulary lists containing permit
Send a Message: Mit and Miss
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This Week in Words: January 20 - 26, 2018
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"Principles of Business," Vocabulary from Chapter 5
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