as in approving
to give official acceptance of as satisfactory
the administration will sanction almost any field trip with educational value
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as in approval
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Recent Examples of sanctioning
Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
There is increasing international condemnation and sanctioning of some of the government’s more prominent members who are accused of using genocidal language against the Palestinians in Gaza and elsewhere.
—Asher Kaufman, The Conversation, 23 Aug. 2025
Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2025
In reality, the first scenario does not exist and the guarantees that would underpin the second are impossible to give, meaning sanctioning a sale at this stage in the window, at any price, would represent a sporting gamble that could be risky at best, reckless at worst.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
Trump has refrained from sanctioning Russian trading partners but has remained adamant about ending the war.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 20 Aug. 2025
The four-belt era in boxing began in 2007 when the World Boxing Organization (WBO) became the fourth major sanctioning body.
—Eduardo Tansley, The Athletic, 20 Dec. 2024
Nascar traditionally held single-car, single-lap qualifying until the mid-2000s, when the sanctioning body believed changing the format would boost TV ratings for qualifying.
—Joseph Wolkin, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
Further sanctioning the already ailing Cuban economy could backfire though.
—Patrick Oppmann, CNN, 8 Dec. 2024
Sergey Pivovarov | Reuters The White House had been wary of sanctioning the bank before, since it’s also used to receive payments from European buyers of Russian natural gas — but most of these consumers have looked to greatly reduce their Russian gas purchases since the war started.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 28 Nov. 2024
Even though there does not appear to be involvement from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer or members of his government, an election lawyer told the Telegraph that the volunteers ran the risk of breaking election laws in the United States, opening the Harris campaign to sanctioning.
—Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 18 Oct. 2024
Verb
The sanctioning of high school sports is critical to allow student-athletes to safely participate in sports without the risk of exploitation.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
There is increasing international condemnation and sanctioning of some of the government’s more prominent members who are accused of using genocidal language against the Palestinians in Gaza and elsewhere.
—Asher Kaufman, The Conversation, 23 Aug. 2025
Noun
The entities sued the motorsport sanctioning body after declining to sign the charter agreement that NASCAR made available to teams to sign in September.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2025
In reality, the first scenario does not exist and the guarantees that would underpin the second are impossible to give, meaning sanctioning a sale at this stage in the window, at any price, would represent a sporting gamble that could be risky at best, reckless at worst.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
Trump has refrained from sanctioning Russian trading partners but has remained adamant about ending the war.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 20 Aug. 2025
The four-belt era in boxing began in 2007 when the World Boxing Organization (WBO) became the fourth major sanctioning body.
—Eduardo Tansley, The Athletic, 20 Dec. 2024
Nascar traditionally held single-car, single-lap qualifying until the mid-2000s, when the sanctioning body believed changing the format would boost TV ratings for qualifying.
—Joseph Wolkin, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
Further sanctioning the already ailing Cuban economy could backfire though.
—Patrick Oppmann, CNN, 8 Dec. 2024
Sergey Pivovarov | Reuters The White House had been wary of sanctioning the bank before, since it’s also used to receive payments from European buyers of Russian natural gas — but most of these consumers have looked to greatly reduce their Russian gas purchases since the war started.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 28 Nov. 2024
Even though there does not appear to be involvement from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer or members of his government, an election lawyer told the Telegraph that the volunteers ran the risk of breaking election laws in the United States, opening the Harris campaign to sanctioning.
—Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 18 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanctioning
Verb
-
Without independent, experienced directors, the board has become a rubber stamp, approving misaligned compensation packages and tolerating underwhelming strategies while shareholders and franchisees shoulder the consequences.—
Jim Osman,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
What was supposed to happen When there isn't a zealous anti-vaccine activist personally directing federal vaccine policy, US health agencies have a thorough, transparent protocol for approving and recommending vaccinations.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Certainly Thor is looking down with approval.—
Mark Ewing,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
That has allowed the city to put the new Clairemont plan on the fast track for approval, with committee and City Council public hearings scheduled for this fall.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Bethea said the fact that Sky Chefs has delayed ratifying their contract at BWI is a testament to its values.—
Chevall Pryce,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The United States has long upheld most tenets of UNCLOS, benefiting from its framework even without ratifying it.—
Kevin Green,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Aug. 2025
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 time, police taped off the house and questioned Sutton-Schulman for two hours until a detective got a call from the hospital confirming that L had attempted suicide in the woods behind the house.—
Duaa Eldeib,
ProPublica,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The latest update involves a few Drake bars and specifically who they were aimed at, as Thugger is heard confirming the lyrics were targeted at Gunna.—
Regina Cho,
VIBE.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Spanberger has raised more than $27 million and secured the endorsement of the Virginia Police Benevolent Association.—
Grace Sandman,
ABC News,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Analysts say the larger test will be whether Ciattarelli can convert cross-party endorsements into broader support across Bergen and other suburban counties where margins can decide statewide outcomes.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
That hasn’t kept the influential progressive in national politics from endorsing him.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Black Political Caucus The Black Political Caucus is considered one of the most important endorsing bodies in the race, with a record of supporting candidates who go on to win.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
There are so many fun home decor in Pottery Barn’s clearance section for less than $50, including candle holders, faux plants, and even (some) bedding.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Brunner was transported to a local hospital for medical clearance, where her blood was drawn following the issuance of a search warrant, according to the complaint.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sanctioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanctioning. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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