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

Moscow only agreed to a partial truce covering the Black Sea when a raft of sanctions are lifted. —Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Apr. 2025

DuBose denied Libby's motion for a preliminary injunction Friday, ruling the process House Speaker Ryan Fecteau used to impose the sanction reflected the will of the majority of Maine House members. —Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 19 Apr. 2025

Verb

The bill is yet to be sanctioned by Lula. Savarese writes for the Associated Press. —Mauricio Savarese, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2025

After Iran launched missile and drone attacks on Israel last April, President Joe Biden's administration sanctioned its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, defense ministry and individuals connected to its military industry. —Zac Anderson, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!