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
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Recent Examples of sanctioned
Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Although quite a few movies have taken place against the whirl of the Cannes Film Festival, only a handful have been shot within sanctioned festival spaces — often because of artistic, logistical and financial constraints.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
The company operates on behalf of Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff, using a network of intermediaries and vessels to move sanctioned crude, with proceeds helping fund the country’s military programs and regional proxy groups.
—Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
While the blockade against Iran has delivered a severe blow to its economy, including stopping freighters from importing various supplies, the country has still been able to move some of its sanctioned oil, ship tracking companies say.
—ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
The lawsuit was originally filed by Catherine Torney, who was injured along with two other people during the shooting at a non-sanctioned gathering in the university's Freedom Square.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
The Miami Open has hosted wheelchair tennis since 2024, but this year marks the first time top players will compete in a sanctioned tournament for official ranking and points.
—Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2026
In December 2025, the United States seized a sanctioned tanker called the Skipper, which was flying the flag of Guyana – even though that country had never registered it.
—Charles Edward Gehrke, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2026
The land was originally opened up to people experiencing homelessness in 2019 as a sanctioned campsite with little else beyond storage garages that provided shelter.
—Austin Sanders, Austin American Statesman, 4 Mar. 2026
Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 14 June 2026
Most of the new states mandated that officeholders be Protestant; many still had officially recognized churches, sanctioned by the government.
—Michael Luo, New Yorker, 14 June 2026
The right decision was reached and the right player was sanctioned.
—Ben Burrows, New York Times, 13 June 2026
But shortly after the Miami Herald reported on the deal, the administration said Vanguard needs an authorization to contract with Cuban state government entities sanctioned under the May executive order.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 11 June 2026
The Iranian military added Elon Musk’s companies to its list of targets, according to the Iranian Fars News Agency, which the US has sanctioned over its ties to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 11 June 2026
Twenty-three states have already sanctioned flag football.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 June 2026
At least 78 fan fests are sanctioned by the FIFA host city organizing committees, according to the Associated Press.
—Kristy Hutchings, Daily News, 10 June 2026
The group was sanctioned by the Treasury Department last month.
—Frank Andrews, CBS News, 10 June 2026
Adjective
Neither Manziel nor Menery has professional combat experience, and the appeal is the spectacle of a former NFL star and an internet loudspeaker settling a years-old beef in a sanctioned cage.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Although quite a few movies have taken place against the whirl of the Cannes Film Festival, only a handful have been shot within sanctioned festival spaces — often because of artistic, logistical and financial constraints.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
The company operates on behalf of Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff, using a network of intermediaries and vessels to move sanctioned crude, with proceeds helping fund the country’s military programs and regional proxy groups.
—Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
While the blockade against Iran has delivered a severe blow to its economy, including stopping freighters from importing various supplies, the country has still been able to move some of its sanctioned oil, ship tracking companies say.
—ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
The lawsuit was originally filed by Catherine Torney, who was injured along with two other people during the shooting at a non-sanctioned gathering in the university's Freedom Square.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
The Miami Open has hosted wheelchair tennis since 2024, but this year marks the first time top players will compete in a sanctioned tournament for official ranking and points.
—Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2026
In December 2025, the United States seized a sanctioned tanker called the Skipper, which was flying the flag of Guyana – even though that country had never registered it.
—Charles Edward Gehrke, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2026
The land was originally opened up to people experiencing homelessness in 2019 as a sanctioned campsite with little else beyond storage garages that provided shelter.
—Austin Sanders, Austin American Statesman, 4 Mar. 2026
Verb
If candidates violate these rules, they can be investigated and sanctioned by the Commission on Judicial Performance, a state agency.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 14 June 2026
Most of the new states mandated that officeholders be Protestant; many still had officially recognized churches, sanctioned by the government.
—Michael Luo, New Yorker, 14 June 2026
The right decision was reached and the right player was sanctioned.
—Ben Burrows, New York Times, 13 June 2026
But shortly after the Miami Herald reported on the deal, the administration said Vanguard needs an authorization to contract with Cuban state government entities sanctioned under the May executive order.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 11 June 2026
The Iranian military added Elon Musk’s companies to its list of targets, according to the Iranian Fars News Agency, which the US has sanctioned over its ties to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 11 June 2026
Twenty-three states have already sanctioned flag football.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 June 2026
At least 78 fan fests are sanctioned by the FIFA host city organizing committees, according to the Associated Press.
—Kristy Hutchings, Daily News, 10 June 2026
The group was sanctioned by the Treasury Department last month.
—Frank Andrews, CBS News, 10 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanctioned
Adjective
-
The task was then to make the shirts look official, so a few members of the team’s staff stayed up all night before the game stitching on numbers, the Argentina crest and the Le Coq Sportif logo.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
Through data analysis and on-the-ground reporting, the series revealed gaps in oversight and showed how many vulnerable properties lie outside official flood zones.—
Dana Banker,
Miami Herald,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
If approved, the contract would go into effect July 1 and run through June 30, 2030.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2026
-
The location was later approved to continue regular service after a follow-up inspection.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
Animals must be inspected by an authorized veterinarian/official within 5 days prior to movement.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
-
The city has 515 authorized positions, 461 of which are currently filled, according to city spokesperson Kristyn Nelson.—
Camryn Dadey,
Sacbee.com,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Some countries have ratified the International Labour Organization’s Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, agreed in 1989, which contains this principle.—
Buket Altınçelep,
The Conversation,
12 June 2026
-
The alliance of unions ratified their new contracts in March, putting an end to months of bargaining, accusations of bad faith and work stoppages.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
So, when West and Amanda confirmed it, I was stunned.—
Kate Aurthur,
Variety,
17 June 2026
-
As his promoter Hearn confirmed to The Athletic last week, Joshua’s contract states the bout must take place in the UK.—
Chris McKenna,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sanctioned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanctioned. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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