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Synonyms

facilitate

American  
[fuh-sil-i-teyt] / fəˈsɪl ɪˌteɪt /

verb (used with object)

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

    Careful planning facilitates any kind of work.

  2. 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.

  3. to assist the progress of (a person).


facilitate British  
/ fəˈsɪlɪˌteɪt /

verb

  1. (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.

Warner wants to spin off its basic cable channels to facilitate the Netflix deal.

From Los Angeles Times

He had previously agreed to sign whatever documents were necessary to facilitate the advance.

From MarketWatch

India and the EU were also expected to conclude an accord to facilitate movement for seasonal workers, students, researchers and highly skilled professionals, and a security and defence pact.

From Barron's

"Since only a small number of homes rely on wood burning for heat, facilitating a home-heating appliance transition to cleaner burning or non-burning heat sources could lead to outsized improvements in air quality."

From Science Daily

The region included extensive networks of forts, roads, and towns linked to the wider Roman Empire, facilitating movement across Europe, north Africa, and beyond.

From Science Daily