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
Adrian Elimian, semafor.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Officials, at times, tried to expand export controls to goods like chip design software, and add sanctions on more Chinese companies.
—Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026
Orbán previously ceased diesel shipments to Ukraine, vetoed a new round of EU sanctions against Russia and blocked a major, $106-billion loan for Kyiv in retaliation for the interruption in oil shipments.
—Justin Spike, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Although Iran has long operated under sanctions, its oil continued flowing to buyers such as China.
—Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026
The European Union is considering providing Ukraine with financial help to repair the Druzhba oil facility as Hungary and Slovakia block support for Kyiv and sanctions on Russia until supplies through the pipeline resume.
—Alberto Nardelli, Bloomberg, 5 Mar. 2026
Iran is a young country—more than 40% of its population is under 30—and many of those citizens have lived their entire lives under sanctions, repression, and economic stagnation.
—Eric Cortellessa, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
Morocco publicly rejected sanctions imposed by CAF’s disciplinary committee, which included a fine of $315,000 for misconduct by players, officials and supporters, and handed suspensions to players Achraf Hakimi and Ismael Saibari in CAF competitions.
—Simon Hughes, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
And Iran wants the United States to lift sanctions.
—CBS News, 27 Feb. 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
Recent moves — including the removal of sanctions on Malian junta officials — suggest Washington is actively rebuilding ties with these military-run nations.
—Adrian Elimian, semafor.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Officials, at times, tried to expand export controls to goods like chip design software, and add sanctions on more Chinese companies.
—Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026
Orbán previously ceased diesel shipments to Ukraine, vetoed a new round of EU sanctions against Russia and blocked a major, $106-billion loan for Kyiv in retaliation for the interruption in oil shipments.
—Justin Spike, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Although Iran has long operated under sanctions, its oil continued flowing to buyers such as China.
—Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026
The European Union is considering providing Ukraine with financial help to repair the Druzhba oil facility as Hungary and Slovakia block support for Kyiv and sanctions on Russia until supplies through the pipeline resume.
—Alberto Nardelli, Bloomberg, 5 Mar. 2026
Iran is a young country—more than 40% of its population is under 30—and many of those citizens have lived their entire lives under sanctions, repression, and economic stagnation.
—Eric Cortellessa, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
Morocco publicly rejected sanctions imposed by CAF’s disciplinary committee, which included a fine of $315,000 for misconduct by players, officials and supporters, and handed suspensions to players Achraf Hakimi and Ismael Saibari in CAF competitions.
—Simon Hughes, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
And Iran wants the United States to lift sanctions.
—CBS News, 27 Feb. 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
-
After installation, go into your phone's settings and audit which apps have constant internet access, background activity rights or special device permissions.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Developers are required to obtain certain permissions from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality before construction on the project can begin.—
Nick Wooten,
Dallas Morning News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Renewing multi-year funding CB11-2026 approves a multi-year grant agreement with the county's Housing Commission to support office space for the NonProfit Collaborative.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
And yet since the strikes on Iran started, only one in four Americans approves of them, while about half — including one in four Republicans — believe Trump is too willing to use military force, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Policymakers should build on this progress by strengthening transparency and accountability, increasing oversight of step therapy and prior authorizations, and ensuring clinical decisions remain in the exam room.—
Alex Mejia Garcia,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Mar. 2026
-
But Lyman noted that the NRC has agreed to greatly restrict the scope of additional safety and security reviews for projects that have DOE authorizations.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
That most of the general population will raise no objections further ratifies that dismal conclusion.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
12 Oct. 2025
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
-
The concern is warranted, as AAA Florida spokesman Mark Jenkins confirms more price increases are likely.—
Bri Buckley,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The City of Norwalk confirms Marv’s Mainstreet Dive as one of five restaurant projects planned for the district, placing it among the next wave of openings attracting both locals and visiting families attending the new SportsPlex and Fieldhouse.—
Susan Stapleton,
Des Moines Register,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sanctions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanctions. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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