Synonyms of sanctions

sanctions 1 of 2

noun

plural of sanction

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

• permissions
• authorizations
• consents
• permits
• allowances
• licenses
• warrants
• clearances
• signatures
• green lights
• leaves
• sufferances
• agreements
• grants
• accreditations
• seals
• certifications
• concurrences
• stamps
• tolerances
• concessions
• patents
• liberties
• acceptances
• imprimaturs
• acquiescences
• tolerations
• passes
• assents
• OKs
• accords

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• prohibitions
• proscriptions
• denials
• refusals
• revocations
• injunctions
• rejections
• interdictions
• taboos
• vetoes
• repressions
• embargoes
• exclusions
• discouragements
• suppressions
• bans
• deterrences

sanctions

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of sanction

as in approves

to give official acceptance of as satisfactory

the administration will sanction almost any field trip with educational value

Synonyms & Similar Words

• approves
• ratifies
• confirms
• endorses
• finalizes
• authorizes
• accepts
• signs
• warrants
• formalizes
• approbates
• homologates
• accredits
• acknowledges
• OKs
• affirms
• licenses
• permits
• clears
• blesses
• validates
• certifies
• signs off (on)
• sanctifies
• legalizes
• initials
• passes
• rubber-stamps
• enables
• canonizes
• allows
• reapproves

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• denies
• rejects
• declines
• vetoes
• prohibits
• disapproves
• bans
• forbids
• turns down
• disallows
• proscribes
• negatives
• enjoins
• ignores
• interdicts
• refuses
• disregards
• neglects
• overlooks
• illegalizes
• rebuffs
• spurns
• rebuts

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of sanctions

Noun

But this reliance on Moscow makes India a target for Washington’s fresh sanctions that propose 100% tariffs on buyers of Russian oil unless peace is made with Ukraine by September. — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 22 July 2026

Known as legal financial obligations, or criminal justice debt, these penalties encompass a range of economic sanctions. — Brian Lawton, The Conversation, 22 July 2026

In April, the US imposed new sanctions on Nicaraguan officials, this time, targeting two of Ortega and Murillo’s sons. — Gonzalo Zegarra, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

The financial logic of returning, once sanctions permit, is overwhelming. — Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Pollard predicted that the Burnham government would pursue additional sanctions against Israel with the support of a Jewish foreign secretary. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026

Under Hugo Chávez, and more sharply under his successor Maduro, the relationship deteriorated into open hostility, shaped by the political stances of the Chavista regime and American sanctions and pressure. — Rafael Osío Cabrices, Time, 20 July 2026

Michael Herzog, the Israeli Ambassador, had also pleaded with Blinken not to carry out the sanctions. — David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 20 July 2026

Trump signed in May 2026 targeting those responsible for repression in Cuba, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has steadily widened the sanctions list to target the government’s main sources of revenue. — Nora Gamez Torres, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026

Verb

The bill sanctions Russian financial institutions and its largest state energy projects while targeting Russian partners in the oil and natural gas trade. — Chris Boccia, ABC News, 14 July 2026

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