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

The effects of war, sanctions and the worst drought in forty years have taken a toll on Iran’s poor. — Natasha Lindstaedt, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

In June, the House overrode Republican leadership to pass its own version of a sanctions and Ukraine aid package. — Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 29 July 2026

The sanctions are part of a pattern stretching back years, including when Delta Upsilon was banned from campus for four years in 2018. — Cuyler Dunn, Kansas City Star, 29 July 2026

The Senate will continue consideration of a bill creating new sanctions against Russia. — Adam Beam, AJC.com, 29 July 2026

Legislation paving the way for further sanctions on parties in Sudan’s civil war has a greater chance of becoming law this year after lawmakers added it to the Senate’s version of a must-pass defense bill. — Adrian Elimian, semafor.com, 29 July 2026

Prior to his death, the South Carolina Senator was a staunch supporter of Ukraine and pushed for strong sanctions against Moscow. — Chantelle Lee, Time, 28 July 2026

Their cooperation is central to Western policy on Ukraine, European security and sanctions enforcement. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026

That same week, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent raised the prospect of sanctions against Chinese companies found to be engaging in the practice, which involves using the outputs of a parent model as training data for a student model. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 28 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