sanction 1 of 2

sanction

2 of 2

verb

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sanction
Noun
An August 20 Federal Police report accused him and his son Eduardo of trying to interfere in the coup trial itself, including by seeking US sanctions against Brazilian officials and coordinating pressure campaigns through close allies. Julia Vargas Jones, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025 These constituencies view the sanctions and the tariffs as otherwise legal instruments weaponized for geopolitical purposes—and as direct affronts to Brazil’s democratic integrity. Hussein Kalout, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
India buys Russian oil at a discount due to sanctions, refines it into gasoline and diesel, and then sells the product back to regions that have sanctioned Moscow such as Europe, said Matt Smith, an oil market analyst at Kpler. Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2025 The existence of those prior collections, though, has the brand worried that consumers will confuse alleged Roots & Threads products as being sanctioned by Roots. Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 18 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sanction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanction
Noun
  • Maison Parisienne was granted permission for the exhibit from the Centre des Monuments Nationaux, or CMN, which oversees the July Column.
    Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Jones explained that Aramayo would always seek permission from those who had uttered the tic.
    Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In 2015, the Louisville Metro Council approved committing $139 million for construction of the hotel, which opened in 2018.
    Matthew Glowicki, The Courier-Journal, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Lawmakers in California responded in kind, approving a measure to put a proposal on the November ballot that would suspend current redistricting rules and allow Democrats to gain a similar number of seats.
    Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The move irked Republicans in Congress who, in July, moved to ban restoring any Confederate names in this year's defense authorization bill.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Being undocumented in the United States, whether by crossing the border without authorization or overstaying a visa, is typically considered a civil violation rather than a criminal offense.
    Caroll Alvarado, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • By the end of the novel, that opening line has been both called into question and ratified.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Drivers and budtenders at Ascend Cannabis Provisions in Grand Rapids ratified their first contract with Teamsters Local 406 two years ago.
    Adrienne Roberts, Freep.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Postal workers were authorized to intercept packages flagged as likely to have been sent by victims of a scam but weren’t allowed to open them without the sender’s consent.
    Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 31 Aug. 2025
  • The item was pulled from the July 29 consent agenda — actions generally considered routine and non-controversial — by council members who wanted more information about the mayor’s plans for Marina Village, the Dana Landing marina and the Sportsmen’s Seafood restaurant.
    Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sanction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanction. Accessed 7 Sep. 2025.

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