impower

Verb

empower (third-person singular simple present empowers, present participle empowering, simple past and past participle empowered)

1. (transitive) To give permission, power, or the legal right to do something.
   • Regulations have been made under the Civil Aviation Acts of 1949, 1980 and 1982 which empower Inspectors of Accidents to do these things.1985, William H. Tench, Safety is no accident

   Synonyms:

   allow, let, permit

   Antonyms:

   ban, bar, forbid, prohibit, banish, criminalize, debar, disallow, enjoin, estop

2. (transitive) To give someone more confidence and/or strength to do something, often by enabling them to increase their control over their own life or situation.
   • John found that starting up his own business empowered him greatly in social situations.

   Synonyms:

   inspire

   Antonyms:

   disempower, dishearten, disspirit