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
Despite months of military build-up, the escalation into a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukrainian territory in February 2022 and the subsequent imposition of sweeping and continuously expanding sanctions came as a major shock to thousands of transnational corporations. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025 Trump reportedly asked advisers in 2019 about a military invasion of Venezuela during a meeting about sanctions against Maduro. Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
This could include sanctioning, censuring or suspending a judge, or recommending a judge be removed from office. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Oct. 2025 All gay rodeos that are officially sanctioned by IGRA are required to be nonprofits and raise money for charities of their choice. Jo Yurcaba, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sanction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanction
Noun
  • Customers in Texas and Arizona can receive parcels from the flying delivery liaisons, and Amazon has received beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) permissions from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which means the drones can, theoretically, start to scale for delivery.
    Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 22 Oct. 2025
  • There’s a particular kind of excellence that happens when Black women stop waiting for permission and just build.
    Essence, Essence, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Jeri said the measure, starting just after midnight and approved by the Council of Ministers, authorizes the deployment of the armed forces alongside the police to maintain public order.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
  • At that time, voters approved extending a capital-improvement property tax at the current rate to fund six categories of projects, including a new Little Rock District Court facility.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Equity members have already voted in favor of a strike authorization.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2025
  • This practice has led some US lawmakers to push for repealing these authorizations, as Congress looks to wrestle back some authority over war powers and foreign policy.
    Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Israel’s cabinet ratified the agreement last night, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu notably defying his hard-right coalition allies in supporting the deal.
    Ben Smith, semafor.com, 14 Oct. 2025
  • That most of the general population will raise no objections further ratifies that dismal conclusion.
    Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 12 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In 2014, Belgium became the second country in the world to allow child euthanasia, requiring parental consent.
    Asra Q. Nomani, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Carroccia strictly questioned the 20-year-old accuser’s definition of consent during the trial, according to reports.
    Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sanction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanction. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on sanction

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