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
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Recent Examples of sanctions
Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
The United States announced additional sanctions against Cuba, a move leaders in Miami's Cuban American community said is a step in the right direction.
—Abby Dodge, CBS News, 8 May 2026
The Kabila sanctions, coming soon after sanctions on senior Rwanda officials, have given Tshisekedi the comfort to speak of a third term more openly.
—Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 8 May 2026
Rubio indicated that additional sanctions against Cuba are expected in the near future.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 7 May 2026
Whether Washington is willing to move beyond pressure campaigns and sanctions toward something closer to a modernized Reagan Doctrine remains unclear.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
In April, Ukraine imposed sanctions on five Russian cultural figures who are involved with organizing Russia’s contribution.
—Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 6 May 2026
Economic sanctions have not worked.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 6 May 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
Magyar recently claimed that several of Orbán’s top lieutenants are rushing to send their assets abroad, perhaps to avoid financial or legal sanctions, and that others have been shredding incriminating documents.
—Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
The United States announced additional sanctions against Cuba, a move leaders in Miami's Cuban American community said is a step in the right direction.
—Abby Dodge, CBS News, 8 May 2026
The Kabila sanctions, coming soon after sanctions on senior Rwanda officials, have given Tshisekedi the comfort to speak of a third term more openly.
—Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 8 May 2026
Rubio indicated that additional sanctions against Cuba are expected in the near future.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 7 May 2026
Whether Washington is willing to move beyond pressure campaigns and sanctions toward something closer to a modernized Reagan Doctrine remains unclear.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
In April, Ukraine imposed sanctions on five Russian cultural figures who are involved with organizing Russia’s contribution.
—Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 6 May 2026
Economic sanctions have not worked.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 6 May 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
-
Over time, those permissions allow companies to gather enormous amounts of behavioral data.—
Adriana James-Rodil,
FOXNews.com,
15 Apr. 2026
-
This includes patching existing vulnerabilities and making sure that the permissions employees have are strictly limited so they can’t be exploited.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The county will hold a series of public workshops and hearings on the budget throughout May and June before the Board of Supervisors approves a final budget in June.—
Luis Melecio-Zambrano,
Mercury News,
2 May 2026
-
Major construction at the course is deferred until the NPS approves the plan.—
Christine Valora,
The Washington Examiner,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
The new restrictions do not affect trade and financial transactions authorized by embargo exceptions or government authorizations, called licenses, according to the executive order.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
1 May 2026
-
Some have floated alternatives, including narrower authorizations or limits on ground troops, while others have suggested the administration could invoke the law’s 30-day withdrawal provision to buy more time.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The school board is scheduled to vote on the agreement during its meeting on Tuesday, but the union urged an earlier vote, saying teachers could return Monday if the board ratifies the deal by then.—
Jessica Seaman,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Others feel that the treaty effectively ratifies something that already exists.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
26 Mar. 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
-
Disruption is permanent, and AI is the divider The 2026 AlixPartners Disruption Index, polling executives across 11 countries and 10 industries confirms that disruption is now the operating baseline.—
Catherine Nekavand,
Footwear News,
7 May 2026
-
Mayo Clinic Press confirms that anxiety produces real physical responses, including labored breathing, muscle tightening and activation of the sympathetic nervous system.—
Allison Palmer,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sanctions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanctions. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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