Authorize — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ˈȯ-thə-ˌrīz/ au·tho·rize

Meaning & Definition of Authorize

Authorize (verb)

  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)
  2. to invest especially with legal authority, empower
  3. justify

Authorize (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to give official or legal power to

    "only the school nurse is authorized to give any necessary shots"

    similar: accredit, certify, charter (British), commission, empower, enable, invest, license, qualify, vest, warrant
    related: approve, clear, credential, endorse, OK, sanction, affirm, confirm, validate, inaugurate, induct, initiate, install, instate, swear in, allow, let, permit, enfranchise, entitle, privilege
    opposite: disqualify
    near: ban, bar, block, constrain, deny, disallow, disbar, discourage, disenfranchise, disfranchise, exclude, hinder, hold back, impede, inhibit, obstruct, prevent, shut out, stop, enjoin, forbid, interdict, outlaw, prohibit, proscribe, veto

  2. to give a right to

    "this pass will authorize you to go backstage"

    similar: entitle, privilege, qualify
    related: empower, enable, enfranchise, license, approve, endorse, allow, let, permit, accredit, certificate, certify, charter (British), ratify, legitimize, sanction, validate, warrant, reaccredit, reapprove, recertify, recharter, revalidate
    opposite: disqualify
    near: disable, disempower, disenfranchise, decertify, disallow, forbid, proscribe, delegitimize, invalidate, nullify

  3. to give official acceptance of as satisfactory

    "a system for sound reproduction that has been authorized as meeting the electronic industry's highest standards"

    similar: accredit, approbate, approve, clear, confirm, finalize, formalize, homologate, OK, ratify, sanction, warrant
    related: accept, acknowledge, affirm, certify, endorse, validate, bless, canonize, sanctify, initial, rubber-stamp, sign, sign off (on), allow, enable, legalize, license, pass, permit, reapprove
    opposite: decline, deny, disallow, disapprove, negative, reject, turn down, veto
    near: ban, enjoin, forbid, illegalize, interdict, prohibit, proscribe, disregard, ignore, neglect, overlook, rebuff, rebut, refuse, spurn

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Authorize

The most common words with a similar meaning to Authorize:

British: charter
accredit, certify, commission, empower, enable, invest, license, qualify, vest, warrant, entitle, privilege, approbate, approve, clear, confirm, finalize, formalize, homologate, OK, ratify, sanction

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Authorize

Words with the opposite meaning of Authorize:

disqualify, decline, deny, disallow, disapprove, negative, reject, turn down, veto

Related Words for Authorize

credential, endorse, affirm, validate, inaugurate, induct, initiate, install, instate, swear in, allow, let, permit, enfranchise, certificate, legitimize, reaccredit, reapprove, recertify, recharter, revalidate, accept, acknowledge, bless, canonize, sanctify, initial, rubber-stamp, sign, sign off (on)

Near Antonyms of Authorize

ban, bar, block, constrain, disbar, discourage, disenfranchise, disfranchise, exclude, hinder, hold back, impede, inhibit, obstruct, prevent, shut out, stop, enjoin, forbid, interdict, outlaw, prohibit, proscribe, disable, disempower, decertify, delegitimize, invalidate, nullify, illegalize

Word Forms of Authorize

Inflections: authorized, authorizing, authorizes

Derived words: authorizer (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Authorize

Middle English auctorisen, autorisen, borrowed from Anglo-French auctorizer, autorizer, borrowed from Medieval Latin auctōrizāre, auctōrisāre, from Latin auctōr-, auctor "originator, creator, authority" + Late Latin -izāre -ize author:1

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Authorize

Frequently Asked Questions about Authorize

What does "Authorize" mean?

"Authorize" means 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). As a verb, it is defined as: 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). It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Authorize"?

Other words for "Authorize" include accredit, certify, charter, commission, empower, enable, invest and license. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Authorize" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Authorize"?

There are 55 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Authorize". Common alternatives include accredit, certify, charter, commission, empower, enable, invest, license, qualify and vest.

What is the opposite of "Authorize"?

Antonyms of "Authorize" include disqualify, decline, deny, disallow, disapprove, negative, reject and turn down. Near antonyms include ban, bar, block and constrain.

How do you use "Authorize" in a sentence?

Examples of "Authorize" in a sentence: "only the school nurse is authorized to give any necessary shots"; "this pass will authorize you to go backstage"; "a system for sound reproduction that has been authorized as meeting the electronic industry's highest standards".

Is "Authorize" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Authorize" is a verb.

Is "Authorize" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Authorize" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Authorize"?

"Authorize" is pronounced /ˈȯ-thə-ˌrīz/ and divided into syllables as au·tho·rize.