as in official
ordered or allowed by those in authority
I cannot believe that this religious cult is a sanctioned student organization
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in approved
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 sanctioned
Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
DeChambeau, meanwhile, wasn't eligible to play at all due to his LIV Golf status, which has kept him off the PGA Tour and sidelined from its sanctioned events.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
And like any sanctioned economy, the results were predictable.
—Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 31 Aug. 2025
Police did not appear to look into the possibility of Kohberger going on a non-sanctioned visit that weekend, which would have been while he was enrolled at DeSales University in Pennsylvania.
—Chris Spargo, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Christian Orozco, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
Britain sanctioned both companies last week.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
Daniel’s wife, Caoimhe Robinson, who is not sanctioned, has sold millions of dollars’ worth of property in the Emirates since April, 2022.
—Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
Hérard previously sanctioned Hérard was sanctioned by Canada earlier this year.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
On September 29, a coalition of 50 professional athletes, including former Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech and Crystal Palace midfielder Cheick Doucoure, signed a letter calling on UEFA to suspend Israel from its competitions, following the UN’s own call for Israel to be sanctioned.
—Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
While Machado and other Venezuelan democrats may have more support than ever among global democrats, Nicolás Maduro controls all of Venezuela’s institutions including the armed forces and the state oil company, which, even when sanctioned, provides substantial resources.
—David Smilde, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2025
If the location is sanctioned, an artist will be hired and the beautification project will be screened by the San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture in coordination with the Transportation Department, which has jurisdiction over the site.
—Steven Mihailovich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2025
The site names those sanctioned since 2017.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Perusing real-estate listings has since become a national pastime—not to mention a collective exercise in sanctioned snooping and quasi-erotic wish fulfillment.
—Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
DeChambeau, meanwhile, wasn't eligible to play at all due to his LIV Golf status, which has kept him off the PGA Tour and sidelined from its sanctioned events.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
And like any sanctioned economy, the results were predictable.
—Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 31 Aug. 2025
Police did not appear to look into the possibility of Kohberger going on a non-sanctioned visit that weekend, which would have been while he was enrolled at DeSales University in Pennsylvania.
—Chris Spargo, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Verb
The two companies being sanctioned are Rosneft and Lukoil and some of their subsidiaries, the statement said.
—Christian Orozco, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
Britain sanctioned both companies last week.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
Daniel’s wife, Caoimhe Robinson, who is not sanctioned, has sold millions of dollars’ worth of property in the Emirates since April, 2022.
—Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
Hérard previously sanctioned Hérard was sanctioned by Canada earlier this year.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
On September 29, a coalition of 50 professional athletes, including former Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech and Crystal Palace midfielder Cheick Doucoure, signed a letter calling on UEFA to suspend Israel from its competitions, following the UN’s own call for Israel to be sanctioned.
—Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
While Machado and other Venezuelan democrats may have more support than ever among global democrats, Nicolás Maduro controls all of Venezuela’s institutions including the armed forces and the state oil company, which, even when sanctioned, provides substantial resources.
—David Smilde, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2025
If the location is sanctioned, an artist will be hired and the beautification project will be screened by the San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture in coordination with the Transportation Department, which has jurisdiction over the site.
—Steven Mihailovich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2025
The site names those sanctioned since 2017.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanctioned
Adjective
-
No official reason has been given as to why the lighting issue occurred.—
Julian McKenzie,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The theater is also used for official screenings to win over members of Congress or visiting dignitaries.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In addition to murder, District Attorney Larry Krasner's office approved additional charges against Keon King, 21, who was charged during the search for Scott.—
Doha Madani,
NBC news,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Novavax was approved for children 12 and older with an underlying condition and people over 65.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Still, complications can arise even as an authorized user.—
Steve Hruby,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Consumers should contact iFIT to arrange for a free home repair by an authorized technician in the form of a replacement screen console.—
News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The contract will still need to be ratified by members.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Oct. 2025
-
The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution was ratified in February 1951, establishing the two-term limit for the presidency.—
Michelle Tauber,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But local journalists confirmed the video was of agents detaining a protester.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Alex Costa-Veiga was 14 years old when he was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma in December 2023, the Brain Tumor Research charity in England confirmed in a news release.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sanctioned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanctioned. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share