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
Nvidia and Intel partnered with China’s three biggest surveillance companies to add AI capabilities to camera systems used for video surveillance across China, including Xinjiang and Tibet, until sanctions were imposed. Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025 Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for the Russian President Vladimir Putin, blamed Kyiv and its European allies for keeping more sanctions at the forefront of the agenda for Washington. Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
Fenway Sports Group sanctioned all of the three most expensive signings in the Premier League this summer, with Hugo Ekitike following Isak and Wirtz to Anfield for a relatively modest £79m ($106m) from Eintracht Frankfurt. Dan Cancian, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025 Sanya Kushak/iStock via Getty Images The Rhode Island Principals' Committee on Athletics met to discuss whether to sanction the sport earlier in August but did not make a decision, local news station WJAR said. Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 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
  • This year, around 1,200 amendments were filed by House lawmakers, and only 298 were approved to make it to the floor.
    Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 10 Sep. 2025
  • In May, council approved a settlement agreement with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Chief Johnny Jennings worth more than $305,000 during a private meeting.
    Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 10 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
  • 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
  • Respecting it communicates that both voices matter and that decisions cannot move forward without mutual consent.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Other information about the winner is released only with the winner's consent.
    Steven Martinez, jsonline.com, 7 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sanction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanction. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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