authorize
verb
au·tho·rize
ˈȯ-thə-ˌrīz 
authorized; authorizing; authorizes
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
Examples of authorize in a Sentence
The city council authorized the sale of the land.
Who authorized the transfer of the funds?
Recent Examples on the Web
The move has nothing to do with McAfee, a person familiar with the situation but not authorized to speak about it publicly told The Times, but came about because Williamson did not share ESPN president of content Burke Magnus’ long-term vision for the company’s content strategy.
—
Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024
The $79 billion legislation pairs an expansion to the child tax credit — a major priority for President Biden and Democrats that nonpartisan estimates say would lift 400,000 children out of poverty — with business tax incentives initially authorized in 2017 under President Donald Trump.
—Jacob Bogage, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024
In 2019, her bill authorizing Medicaid claims for doula service was signed into law as well.
—Jake Allen, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Apr. 2024
The City Council extended the Buena Vista Creek emergency twice in March and authorized up to $474,000 to clear 900 feet of the channel.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2024
The Thomas County Sheriff’s Office aided in the repossession of a resident’s vehicle despite having no court order authorizing a repossession.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2024
The people spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the terminations publicly.
—Lily Kepner, USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2024
Since approving mifepristone 24 years ago, the FDA has authorized changes in the drug's dosing, and over time, has lifted many of the initial restrictions on dispensing it.
—Nina Totenberg, NPR, 26 Mar. 2024
Meanwhile, a significant late-season storm is brewing March 24, 2024
The two allegedly got into a struggle over the weapon, and department sources who were not authorized to speak on the record said that surveillance video inside the lobby shows the altercation lasting only a matter of seconds.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2024
Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024
The $79 billion legislation pairs an expansion to the child tax credit — a major priority for President Biden and Democrats that nonpartisan estimates say would lift 400,000 children out of poverty — with business tax incentives initially authorized in 2017 under President Donald Trump.
—Jacob Bogage, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024
In 2019, her bill authorizing Medicaid claims for doula service was signed into law as well.
—Jake Allen, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Apr. 2024
The City Council extended the Buena Vista Creek emergency twice in March and authorized up to $474,000 to clear 900 feet of the channel.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2024
The Thomas County Sheriff’s Office aided in the repossession of a resident’s vehicle despite having no court order authorizing a repossession.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2024
The people spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the terminations publicly.
—Lily Kepner, USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2024
Since approving mifepristone 24 years ago, the FDA has authorized changes in the drug's dosing, and over time, has lifted many of the initial restrictions on dispensing it.
—Nina Totenberg, NPR, 26 Mar. 2024
Meanwhile, a significant late-season storm is brewing March 24, 2024
The two allegedly got into a struggle over the weapon, and department sources who were not authorized to speak on the record said that surveillance video inside the lobby shows the altercation lasting only a matter of seconds.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'authorize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near authorize
Cite this Entry
“Authorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authorize. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
authorize
verb
au·tho·rize
ˈȯ-thə-ˌrīz
authorized; authorizing
1
: to give authority to
2
: to give legal or official approval to
authorization
noun
ˌȯ-th(ə-)rə-ˈzā-shən
authorizer
noun
ˈȯ-thə-ˌrī-zər
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
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