to give authority or official power to; empower

to authorize an employee to sign purchase orders.

to give authority for; formally sanction (an act or proceeding)

Congress authorized the new tax on tobacco.

to establish by authority or usage

an arrangement long authorized by etiquette books.

to afford a ground for; warrant; justify.

verb

deny , reject , disallow

verb

accredit , bless , commission , empower , enable , entitle , give authority , give the go-ahead , give the green light , give the word , invest , license , okay , rubber-stamp , say the word , vest , affirm , approve , confirm , countenance , endorse , give leave , let , qualify , ratify , sanction , suffer , tolerate , warrant , allow , approbate , consent , delegate , justify , legalize , legitimize , permit , rubberstamp