Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense authorizes, present participle authorizing, past tense, past participle authorizedregional note: in BRIT, also use authorise
verb
If someone in a position of authority authorizes something, they give their official permission for it to happen.
It would certainly be within his power to authorize a police raid like that. [VERB noun]
We are willing to authorize the president to use force if necessary. [VERB noun to-infinitive]
Synonyms: empower, commission, enable, entitle More Synonyms of authorize
The United Nations will approve his request for authorization to use military forceto deliver aid.
Synonyms: permission, right, leave, power More Synonyms of authorize
More Synonyms of authorize
authorize in British English
or authorise (ˈɔːθəˌraɪz)
verb(transitive)
1.
to confer authority upon (someone to do something); empower
2.
to permit (someone to do or be something) with official sanction
a dealer authorized by a manufacturer to retail his products
Derived forms
authorization (ˌauthoriˈzation) or authorisation (ˌauthoriˈsation)
noun
authorizer (ˈauthorˌizer) or authoriser (ˈauthorˌiser)
noun
authorize in American English
(ˈɔθərˌaɪz)
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈauthorˌized or ˈauthorˌizing
1.
to give official approval to or permission for
a housing project authorized by the city
2.
to give power or authority to; empower; commission
3.
to give justification for; warrant
SYNONYMY NOTE: authorize implies the giving of power or right to act, ranging in application from a specificlegal power to discretionary powers in dealings of any kind; to , commission a person is to authorize as well as instruct to perform a certain duty, as the executionof an artistic work, or to appoint to a certain rank or office; , accredit implies the sending of a person, duly authorized and with the proper credentials,as an ambassador, delegate, etc.; , license implies the giving of formal legal permission to do some specified thing and oftenemphasizes regulation [to license hunters]
Derived forms
authorizer (ˈauthorˌizer)
noun
Word origin
ME autorisen < OFr autoriser < ML auctorizare < L auctor, author
Examples of 'authorize' in a sentence
authorize
Will you kindly authorize your officer to remove his security presence to the passage outside the door?
Parkes, Roger RIOT (2001)
You authorize it, I can whistle up the PM's holiday snaps,' said Wield.
Anthony Masters CASCADES - THE DAY OF THE DEAD (2001)
In other languages
authorize
British English: authorize /ˈɔːθəˌraɪz/ VERB
If someone authorizes something, they give their official permission for it to happen.
Only the President could authorize its use.
American English: authorize
Arabic: يُفَوِّضُ
Brazilian Portuguese: autorizar
Chinese: 授权
Croatian: ovlastiti
Czech: schválit
Danish: bemyndige
Dutch: autoriseren
European Spanish: autorizar
Finnish: valtuuttaa
French: autoriser
German: autorisieren
Greek: εξουσιοδοτώ
Italian: autorizzare
Japanese: 権限を与える
Korean: 권한을 주다
Norwegian: autorisere
Polish: upoważnić
European Portuguese: autorizar
Romanian: a autoriza
Russian: уполномочивать
Latin American Spanish: autorizar
Swedish: auktorisera
Thai: ให้อำนาจ
Turkish: yetki vermek
Ukrainian: уповноважувати
Vietnamese: ủy quyền
Chinese translation of 'authorize'
authorize
(ˈɔːθəraɪz)
vt
授权(權) (shòuquán)
to authorize sb/to be authorized to do sth授权(權)某人/被授权(權)做某事 (shòuquán mǒurén/bèi shòuquán zuò mǒushì)
1 (verb)
Definition
to give authority to
They authorized him to use force if necessary.
Synonyms
empower
The trustees of the museum are empowered to sell items from its collection.
commission
You can commission them to paint something especially for you.
enable
The authorities issued visas to enable them to enter the country.
entitle
Your contract entitles you to a full refund.
mandate
accredit
The degree programme is fully accredited by the Institute of Engineers.
give authority to
2 (verb)
Definition
to give official permission for
We are willing to authorize a police raid.
Synonyms
permit
I was permitted to bring my camera into the concert.
Our constitution does not permit the sending of troops.
allow
Talking amongst yourselves is not allowed.
suffer
grant
confirm
Mrs Suarez is due to be confirmed as President on Friday.
agree to
approve
MPs approved the bill by a majority of 97.
sanction
He may seem ready to sanction the use of force.
endure
I simply can't endure another moment of her company.
license
the council can license a U.S. company to produce the drug
endorse
I can endorse this statement wholeheartedly.
warrant
The allegations are serious enough to warrant an investigation.
tolerate
I will not tolerate breaches of the code of conduct.
ratify
They have yet to ratify the treaty.
consent to
countenance
The planners will not countenance any changes to the exterior of the barn.
accredit
vouch for
give leave
give the green light for
give a blank cheque to
give authority for
Opposites
ban
,
exclude
,
rule out
,
veto
,
forbid
,
prohibit
,
outlaw
,
preclude
,
disallow
,
proscribe
,
debar
,
criminalize
Additional synonyms
in the sense of accredit
Definition
to give official recognition to
The degree programme is fully accredited by the Institute of Engineers.