Synonyms for license
- noun
- verb
- American English
Most common
Synonyms by meaning
Noun
1. Permit
permit, permission, warrant, freedom, authorization UK US, authorisation UK, leave, consent, right, exemption, privilege, let, dispensation, liberty, allowance dated
2. Anarchy
anarchy, lawlessness, unrestraint rare
Verb
Other
Definitions
- n. 1
A legal document giving official permission to do something; a permit.
- n. 2
The legal terms under which a person is allowed to use a product, especially software.
- v. 1
To authorize officially.
I am licensed to practice law in this state.
Related words
- Word family
- licensure licentious licentiously licentiousness licensee
- Phrases
- driver's license driving license license plate beginner's license driver license learner's license license fee provisional license
- Other spellings
- licence UK
Choose the right word
A license is permission granted rather than authority conferred; the sheriff has authority (not permission nor license) to make an arrest.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- permission You should not have done it without my permission.
- consent How dare you marry my daughter without my consent?
- warrant "You can't take this." "This warrant says I can."
- permit My father would not permit me to go on to college.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| license | falling | |
| permission | rising | |
| consent | falling | |
| warrant | falling | |
| permit | falling |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 3 letters
- let1
- 5 letters
- right1, leave1, allow2
- 6 letters
- ticket2, permit2, laxity3
- 7 letters
- freedom2, consent2, liberty3, warrant2, anarchy3, certify3
- 8 letters
- legalize3, legalise
- 9 letters
- privilege2, allowance3, exemption3, authorize3, authorise
- 10 letters
- permission3
- 11 letters
- lawlessness3, unrestraint
- 12 letters
- dispensation4
- 13 letters
- authorization5, authorisation
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (allow2 = 2 syllables).