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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• prohibition
• refusal
• denial
• revocation
• rejection
• injunction
• veto
• proscription
• suppression
• interdiction
• exclusion
• repression
• ban
• deterrence
• embargo
• taboo
• 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
• approbate
• formalize
• sign
• acknowledge
• homologate
• accredit
• OK
• affirm
• clear
• initial
• permit
• certify
• bless
• validate
• license
• enable
• legalize
• allow
• pass
• sanctify
• rubber-stamp
• 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

Prosecutors said that, prior to the National Security Law’s (NSL) imposition, Wong had joined others to lobby for a law in the United States that would allow Washington to sanction Hong Kong and China. — Chris Lau, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026

In August, the State Department announced sanctions against ICC President Tomoko Akane of Japan and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye of Senegal over their involvement in the court’s investigation of Israel’s war in Gaza. — Howard Lafranchi, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Sep. 2026

Verb

All ages are welcome; the tournament is not USCF-sanctioned; games are 30 minutes; and walk-ins are welcome. — Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

In addition to enforcing a blockade of Iranian ports, this week, the administration threatened to severely sanction any country that does business with Iran. — Justin Fishel, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026

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