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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Parisa Hafezi, USA Today, 5 June 2025
This action highlights ongoing U.S. efforts to disrupt international drug trafficking networks and enforce sanctions related to international criminal justice.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
Jade Walker, CNN Money, 6 June 2025
Japanese American internment during World War II was legally sanctioned and upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.
—Tom Debley, Mercury News, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sanction
Noun
During his first term, Trump ditched Tehran's 2015 nuclear pact with six powers and reimposed sanctions that have crippled Iran's economy.
—Parisa Hafezi, USA Today, 5 June 2025
This action highlights ongoing U.S. efforts to disrupt international drug trafficking networks and enforce sanctions related to international criminal justice.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
Verb
That order had already been used to sanction ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan.
—Jade Walker, CNN Money, 6 June 2025
Japanese American internment during World War II was legally sanctioned and upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.
—Tom Debley, Mercury News, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sanction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanction
Noun
-
In entertainment, one of the more significant proposals is the No Fakes Act, which would give individuals a right to control their digital likeness, meaning that content creators would need permission to recreate celebrities and anyone else using AI.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
5 June 2025
-
National Donut Day, which comes around annually on the first Friday of June, isn't just promotional permission to partake in pastries – the celebration has some historical heft.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
5 June 2025
Verb
-
To go before voters, the levy would first need to be approved by the City Council.—
Rose Evans,
Idaho Statesman,
5 June 2025
-
The result will be a 20-year master plan to be approved later this year by the NICTD board of directors.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
5 June 2025
Noun
-
But their work authorization is tied to their parole status, and reapplying for permission to work in the United States will take months.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
31 May 2025
-
This withdrawal came following the company’s public announcement to increase its share repurchase authorization to $750 million and commit to utilize $200 million of such authorization over the next three months and $500 million within the next 12 months.—
Kenneth Squire,
CNBC,
31 May 2025
Verb
-
This arms race between the U.S. in China is especially concerning given that there is no bilateral arms control agreement, and alongside Russia, neither country has ratified the 1996 Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.—
Natasha Lindstaedt,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
-
In doing so, TMC has sought support from the one country which has not ratified UNCLOS: the United States.—
Victor Vescovo,
Time,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
The spin-off is subject to customary regulatory approvals, board consent, and market conditions.—
Joe Cornell,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
-
The board members are appointed by the president with the advice and consent of the Senate.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
8 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sanction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanction. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share