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
In social media posts and fund-raising emails, Mr. Trump grossly mischaracterized the policy by suggesting that the bureau had authorized agents to kill him during the search.
—
Alan Feuer, New York Times, 5 June 2024
The attack on Hilton’s account was unsuccessful, said a person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to comment.
—Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2024
Under the Kansas plan, state officials would be authorized to issue Sales Tax and Revenue – STAR – bonds to help finance a new stadium, which could cost upwards of $2-3 billion.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 5 June 2024
The city authorized $45 million in bonds for the project eight years ago, but never issued them.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 5 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for authorize 
Alan Feuer, New York Times, 5 June 2024
The attack on Hilton’s account was unsuccessful, said a person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to comment.
—Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2024
Under the Kansas plan, state officials would be authorized to issue Sales Tax and Revenue – STAR – bonds to help finance a new stadium, which could cost upwards of $2-3 billion.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 5 June 2024
The city authorized $45 million in bonds for the project eight years ago, but never issued them.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 5 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for authorize
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 9 Jun. 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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