as in permissions
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 approves
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 sanctions
Kapil Komireddi, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026
Even if the war is over, the country's already ailing economy now faces dire trouble — though sanctions relief and compensation are also in Iran's 10-point plan.
—Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 10 Apr. 2026
The longtime leader — whom critics accuse of undermining democracy and whose government has been reported to have worked closely with Moscow to undermine European sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine — has seen his support crumble over economic mismanagement and alleged corruption.
—Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 10 Apr. 2026
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree on Friday that has imposed sanctions on five Russian cultural figures who are involved with organizing the Russian Pavilion at the 2026 Venice Biennale.
—Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 10 Apr. 2026
Tehran had rejected the 15-point proposal from Washington and reportedly presented a 10-point plan of its own to end the conflict, including a halt to Israeli strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon and the lifting of all sanctions.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026
But confusion remains over the basis of the plan for those talks, with Iran insisting on a 10-point plan that includes its full control over the Strait of Hormuz, removal of sanctions and accepting Iran's right to enrichment.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 9 Apr. 2026
The peace deal should include restrictions on Iran nuclear capabilities and reopening the global trade artery of the Strait of Hormuz, in exchange for lifting all economic sanctions constraining Iran.
—Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
An autocratic government that sanctions violence.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 4 Feb. 2026
But some agricultural organizations that represent them have stressed their businesses will be hurt too if the US sanctions South Africa.
—Kate Bartlett, NPR, 10 Nov. 2025
God never sanctions cruelty; love that harms is not love at all.
—Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
The two men spoke with disdain for Europe, and Szijjártó agreed to help in removing an Uzbek-Russian oligarch’s sister from a European sanctions list.
—Kapil Komireddi, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026
Even if the war is over, the country's already ailing economy now faces dire trouble — though sanctions relief and compensation are also in Iran's 10-point plan.
—Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 10 Apr. 2026
The longtime leader — whom critics accuse of undermining democracy and whose government has been reported to have worked closely with Moscow to undermine European sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine — has seen his support crumble over economic mismanagement and alleged corruption.
—Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 10 Apr. 2026
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree on Friday that has imposed sanctions on five Russian cultural figures who are involved with organizing the Russian Pavilion at the 2026 Venice Biennale.
—Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 10 Apr. 2026
Tehran had rejected the 15-point proposal from Washington and reportedly presented a 10-point plan of its own to end the conflict, including a halt to Israeli strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon and the lifting of all sanctions.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026
But confusion remains over the basis of the plan for those talks, with Iran insisting on a 10-point plan that includes its full control over the Strait of Hormuz, removal of sanctions and accepting Iran's right to enrichment.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 9 Apr. 2026
The peace deal should include restrictions on Iran nuclear capabilities and reopening the global trade artery of the Strait of Hormuz, in exchange for lifting all economic sanctions constraining Iran.
—Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
For starters the World Cup is run by the same organization, FIFA, which sanctions virtually every level of soccer globally, from the men’s and women’s World Cups, to confederation competitions including the UEFA Championships and the Copa América, to most major age-group tournaments.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
An autocratic government that sanctions violence.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 4 Feb. 2026
But some agricultural organizations that represent them have stressed their businesses will be hurt too if the US sanctions South Africa.
—Kate Bartlett, NPR, 10 Nov. 2025
God never sanctions cruelty; love that harms is not love at all.
—Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanctions
Noun
-
To use Google Meet on Apple CarPlay, download the latest version of the app from the App Store and grant the app the necessary permissions.—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Once the access is given, OpenClaw is designed to act precisely as the user would, with the same broad permissions and capabilities.—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The bill also approves a request for a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) agreement.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Council approves the final list.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In response, almost all insurers rationed the drug’s distribution via prior authorizations and coverage denials (a problem that persists today).—
Michael Rose,
STAT,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Insurance plans often have cost-sharing requirements and red tape such as prior authorizations that can delay or deny coverage.—
Ken Alltucker,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Others feel that the treaty effectively ratifies something that already exists.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Deal to cut tariffs and ease regulatory barriers A formal signing of the deal could come later this year after officials go through the legal details of the text and the EU Parliament ratifies it.—
Rajesh Roy,
Fortune,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Failure to provide additional information or consents will be grounds for disqualification, unless prohibited under applicable law.—
Time,
Time,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Before allowing the use of advertising pixels, cookies or other tracking tools, businesses should investigate what those technologies collect, how that data will be used and what disclosures or consents are required.—
Jodi Daniels,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
When production for the show's latest installment begins in May, the cast and crew are heading to Greece and Monaco, Netflix confirms to PEOPLE.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The early evidence confirms this is exactly what has happened.—
Stephen Moore,
Boston Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sanctions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanctions. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
