enabled; enabling
i-ˈnā-b(ə-)liŋ 
1
a
: to provide with the means or opportunity
training that enables people to earn a living
b
: to make possible, practical, or easy
a deal that would enable passage of a new law
c
: to cause to operate
software that enables the keyboard
2
: to give legal power, capacity, or sanction to
a law enabling admission of a state
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Enabling: The Behavior of an Enabler
Enable has a number of senses, most of which are some variant on allowing someone (or something, such as enabling cookies on a computer) to do something. In the past several decades, enable has also started to take on a new associated sense in the field of addiction studies, where enabling is viewed as giving misguided support to a person with some substance-abuse issue. A person who facilitates the self-destructive behavior of another is referred to as an enabler.
Examples of enable in a Sentence
The machine enables us to create copies without losing quality.
The system enables students to access class materials online.
These choices are part of what enabled the company to be successful.
a filing system that enables easy access to information
Be sure to enable your computer's firewall.
Recent Examples on the Web
This would enable it to conduct non-nuclear strikes on the contiguous U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii.
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Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
Automated and enabled by AI, criminal hackers will continue to extort victims at a startling rate in 2025.
—Chuck Brooks, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
That shift is enabled by Sam, who really does see her, and—better—sees someone worth knowing.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 24 Dec. 2024
Cronenberg’s first efforts were financed by private investors eager to take advantage of generous government subsidies and tax breaks: low-risk capital enabling high-risk creativity.
—Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for enable 
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Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
Automated and enabled by AI, criminal hackers will continue to extort victims at a startling rate in 2025.
—Chuck Brooks, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
That shift is enabled by Sam, who really does see her, and—better—sees someone worth knowing.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 24 Dec. 2024
Cronenberg’s first efforts were financed by private investors eager to take advantage of generous government subsidies and tax breaks: low-risk capital enabling high-risk creativity.
—Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for enable
Dictionary Entries Near enable
Cite this Entry
“Enable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enable. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
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