Synonyms

facilitate

American

[fuh-sil-i-teyt] / fəˈsɪl ɪˌteɪt /

verb (used with object)

facilitated, facilitating

to make easier or less difficult; help forward (an action, a process, etc.).

Careful planning facilitates any kind of work.
to lead or moderate (a discussion, workshop, etc.), especially as a person trained to do so.

An instructor will facilitate the online discussions, providing students with the questions beforehand.
to assist the progress of (a person).

facilitate British

/ fəˈsɪlɪˌteɪt /

verb

(tr) to make easier; assist the progress of

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

facilitative adjective
facilitator noun

Etymology

Origin of facilitate

First recorded in 1605–15; facilit(y) + -ate ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Also on Sunday, Pakistan hosted a meeting of regional powers, with the goal of facilitating a meeting between U.S. and Iranian negotiators.

From MarketWatch

However, he welcomed Israeli government efforts to address the situation and facilitate other Holy Week activities.

From BBC

"It has never been a marketing ploy for me... but I never had any idea how much it would facilitate our business," he said.

From BBC

“I’ve always been able to facilitate and be that connector, but this is the role I am needed in the most here.”

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023