Synonyms of sanction

sanction 1 of 2

noun

ˈsaŋ(k)-shən 

as in permission

the approval by someone in authority for the doing of something

you cannot make a student video without your faculty advisor's sanction of its subject matter prior to shooting

Synonyms & Similar Words

• permission
• authorization
• consent
• granting
• allowance
• warrant
• license
• clearance
• signature
• licence
• permit
• concurrence
• accreditation
• leave
• green light
• certification
• sufferance
• seal
• stamp
• grant
• acceptance
• agreement
• liberty
• assent
• tolerance
• imprimatur
• patent
• acquiescence
• pass
• concession
• toleration
• okay
• OK
• accord

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• prohibition
• refusal
• denial
• revocation
• rejection
• injunction
• proscription
• veto
• interdiction
• suppression
• exclusion
• repression
• ban
• deterrence
• embargo
• taboo
• tabu
• discouragement

sanction

2 of 2

verb

as in to approve

to give official acceptance of as satisfactory

the administration will sanction almost any field trip with educational value

Synonyms & Similar Words

• approve
• ratify
• confirm
• endorse
• accept
• authorize
• finalize
• warrant
• sign
• formalize
• approbate
• okay
• acknowledge
• accredit
• homologate
• OK
• affirm
• initial
• clear
• permit
• indorse
• bless
• certify
• validate
• license
• enable
• pass
• allow
• legalize
• sanctify
• rubber-stamp
• licence
• canonize
• sign off (on)
• reapprove

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deny
• reject
• negative
• veto
• prohibit
• disapprove
• disallow
• decline
• ban
• forbid
• enjoin
• turn down
• proscribe
• ignore
• disregard
• refuse
• interdict
• neglect
• overlook
• illegalize
• spurn
• rebut
• rebuff

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb sanction differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of sanction are accredit, approve, certify, and endorse. While all these words mean "to have or express a favorable opinion of," sanction implies both approval and authorization.

the President sanctioned covert operations

How do accredit and certify relate to one another, in the sense of sanction?

Both accredit and certify usually imply official endorsement attesting to conformity to set standards.

the board voted to accredit the college

must be certified to teach

In what contexts can approve take the place of sanction?

While the synonyms approve and sanction are close in meaning, approve often implies no more than this but may suggest considerable esteem or admiration.

the parents approve of the marriage

When would endorse be a good substitute for sanction?

The synonyms endorse and sanction are sometimes interchangeable, but endorse suggests an explicit statement of support.

publicly endorsed her for Senator

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of sanction

Noun

Rubio also will visit Guyana and Suriname, his visit coming just days after U.S. President Donald Trump announced new sanctions on Venezuelan oil exports and threatened tariffs on all goods imported into the United States by other countries that buy oil from Venezuela. —Arkansas Online, 27 Mar. 2025

The cracking units, which break down crude oil into useful products, are delicate and complex and extremely difficult for Russian industry to replace under the current sanctions regime. Frequent and precise strikes might prevent them from being repaired, Milov told the analysis group. —David Axe, Forbes, 26 Mar. 2025

Verb

Under Hochul’s proposal, sanctioned simple phones — which allow phone calls and texting — would be permitted. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2025

Boeing was sanctioned for discovery abuse, the lawsuit states. —Charmaine Patterson, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025

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