enable
verb (used with object)
to make able; give power, means, competence, or ability to: Students with vision impairments are enabled in the classroom with magnifiers and screen reader software.
were enabling
-
past progressiveof enable.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Detractors responded in turn, worrying that Grande’s ardent fans were enabling the singer’s unhealthy behavior and speculated eating disorder.
From Salon ● Aug. 8, 2026
They also alleged that leasing companies were "enabling" and "approving exploitative agreements" at the expense of small businesses.
From BBC ● Jul. 3, 2025
The U.S. was also imposing new visa bans on former and current Haitian officials whom Blinken said were enabling the violence.
From Reuters ● Sep. 22, 2023
Investments in education and new affirmative action programs were enabling an unprecedented number of Black Brazilians to go to college.
From New York Times ● Nov. 27, 2021
During those years when the nuns warned me about the dangers of intellectual pride and referred to Christ as Baby Jesus, they were enabling me to participate frilly in the liturgical life of the Church.
From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez
