Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb authorize

2 senses of authorize

Sense 1
authorize, authorise, pass, clear -- (grant authorization or clearance for; "Clear the manuscript for publication"; "The rock star never authorized this slanderous biography")
       => permit, allow, let, countenance -- (consent to, give permission; "She permitted her son to visit her estranged husband"; "I won't let the police search her basement"; "I cannot allow you to see your exam")

Sense 2
empower, authorise, authorize -- (give or delegate power or authority to; "She authorized her assistant to sign the papers")
       => appoint, charge -- (assign a duty, responsibility or obligation to; "He was appointed deputy manager"; "She was charged with supervising the creation of a concordance")

Antonyms of adj authorized

2 senses of authorized

Sense 1
authorized (vs. unauthorized), authorised -- (endowed with authority)

unauthorized (vs. authorized), unauthorised -- (not endowed with authority)
        => self-appointed -- (designated or chosen by yourself; "a self-appointed guardian of public morals")
        => unaccredited, unlicensed, unlicenced -- (lacking official approval)

Sense 2
authoritative, authorized, authorised -- (sanctioned by established authority; "an authoritative communique"; "the authorized biography")

INDIRECT (VIA official) -> unofficial -- (not having official authority or sanction; "a sort of unofficial mayor"; "an unofficial estimate"; "he participated in an unofficial capacity")

Similarity of adj authorized

2 senses of authorized

Sense 1
authorized (vs. unauthorized), authorised -- (endowed with authority)
       => accredited, commissioned, licensed, licenced -- (given official approval to act; "an accredited college"; "commissioned broker"; "licensed pharmacist"; "authorized representative")
       => approved, sanctioned -- (established by authority; given authoritative approval; "a list of approved candidates")
       => canonized, canonised, glorified -- (accorded sacrosanct or authoritative standing)
       => empowered, sceptered, sceptred -- (invested with legal power or official authority especially as symbolized by having a scepter)
          Also See-> lawful#1; legitimate#1; official#1

Sense 2
authoritative, authorized, authorised -- (sanctioned by established authority; "an authoritative communique"; "the authorized biography")
       => official (vs. unofficial) -- (having official authority or sanction; "official permission"; "an official representative")