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

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

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