Enable Synonym Guide — Definition, Antonyms, and Examples

What if we always say or write the same words when talking, reading, and writing? If there was only one term to describe every person, place, or thing in the world, it would be pretty boring.

Synonyms are terms or phrases that mean the same thing or can be interpreted similarly. This guide gives the synonyms of “enable,” their etymology, and sentence examples.

Let’s dive in!

What Exactly Does Enable Mean?

Enable means making someone or something capable of performing a task by giving the required resources. Enabling someone is to grant them permission or the right to do something.

Examples of sentences that include enable

• Only teamwork will enable us to succeed. 
• The money will enable us catch a flight instead of a car. 
•  The decrease in security personnel will enable criminals to roam around freely.
• You can be in charge if you enable the staff to do their work.

Enable Synonym: Exploring Words with Similar Meanings

Some enable synoym examples are authorize, sanction, license, qualify, allow, permit, and legalize. Others include accredit, validate, commission, delegate and okay.

Empower

To empower somebody is to provide them with the means to accomplish something. Empower means to offer a person considered vulnerable or oppressed the resources or opportunities to change their position.

The French and Latin roots of the word “empower” are the preposition “em” and the noun “power.” “Em” probably comes from the Old French word “en,” which meant “in” in both languages.

Examples of sentences using empower

•  We can empower people to learn various skills. 
• They also help empower those with disabilities. 
• My mission has always been to empower and enrich the lives of teenagers.

Facilitate

Facilitate means assisting others in dealing with a process or reaching an agreement or solution without being a part of it. To facilitate is to make it easier, to assist in taking action, etc. 

Facilitate comes from Latin facilis, which means “easy.” Other terms that come from facilis which mean “easy to do” or “the quality of being easy to do,” are facile, facility, and faculty. Facilis comes from Latin facere, which means “to make or do.” 

Examples of sentences using facilitate

• Technological devices facilitate quick transactions. 
• The new ramp will facilitate the free flow of movement for everyone.
• Who will facilitate the conversation between the parties?

Enable Antonyms: Words with Opposite Meanings

Some enable antonym examples are disallow, enjoin, forbit, prohibit, and prevent.

Prevent

Prevent means to stop something from occurring or someone from performing a particular action. It indicates that something is being done to avoid some effects, such as scarcity, danger, or disease.

By the 1540s, it meant “to stop something from happening or happening at all” in Latin. In Late Latin, “to prevent” was from prae, meaning “before” and venire “to come.” 

Examples of sentences using prevent

• You can’t prevent my resignation.
•  Why do you want to prevent police interference? 
• I do all this to prevent sickness. 

Hinder

Hinder means to make something hard for someone to do or for something to happen. It means to get in the way or slow down a person or thing. 

It was first noted before the year 1000 as hindren in Middle English and Old English as hindrian, which means “to hold or pull back.” 

Examples of sentences: Hinder

• Anger and pride hinder good counsel.
• Don’t hinder my movement. 
• I wouldn’t dare to hinder your work; I’m off to school.

To Wrap Up

Mastering synonyms means you can quickly choose the word that best fits your need without wasting time searching for the appropriate term. The thesaurus can be an excellent tool for choosing synonyms.

Varied phrases make your language more expressive and exciting.