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
The European Union is making progress toward approving a new package of sanctions on companies in India and China involved in buying Russian oil. Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 16 Sep. 2025 Trump last week raised the prospect of potential additional sanctions against Moscow. Kevin Shalvey, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
The company has been sanctioned by the United States. The Atlantic, 10 Sep. 2025 Washington has sanctioned Chinese firms over dual-use goods and warned banks handling ruble transactions. Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sanction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanction
Noun
  • By setting up permissions in advance, the agent (individual with the power to act on behalf of someone else) can step in immediately if the account owner is incapacitated.
    Kristin McKenna, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • After scouting several locations in Florida, California and Texas, the organizers decided on the Hamptons after Wilson, who died earlier this year, granted them permission to showcase in his space.
    Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The United States has approved the potential sale of F-16 fighter jets to Peru to support the South American country's counternarcotics and counterterrorism operations.
    Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Despite being used frequently in cosmetics, Crodafos CES had to first be tested and approved by the FDA to make it onto the Inactive Ingredient Database.
    Megan McIntyre, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The station stated that the volunteer acted without authorization and in direct violation of Radio Boise policies by making those comments on social media.
    Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 13 Sep. 2025
  • In 2021, at the height of the pandemic, Kennedy petitioned the Food and Drug Administration to revoke authorization of COVID-19 vaccines and refrain from approving any future COVID-19 vaccines.
    Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The council also ratified a $100,000 donation previously earmarked for immigrant aid.
    Claire Wang, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Producers and engineers at the company just ratified their first three-year collective bargaining agreement.
    Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Concerns have already been raised over the dangers of nudification apps that can be used to create pornographic images of people without their consent.
    Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Reuters — The owner of Rolling Stone, Billboard and Variety sued Google on Friday, alleging the technology giant’s AI summaries use its journalism without consent and reduce traffic to its websites.
    Reuters, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sanction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanction. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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