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
Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2026
In the House, a Democratic plan for sweeping Russia sanctions and $1 billion in Ukraine aid is unlikely to pass but is energizing bipartisan efforts to preserve symbolic $400-million assistance.
—Stephen Groves, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
Cherfilus-McCormick resigned in April just minutes before the House Ethics Committee was set to recommend sanctions for what a subcommittee found were 25 violations of House rules.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 22 May 2026
The policy change is intended to offset Roscosmos’ losses in recent years, which have mounted after the onset of Western sanctions.
—Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 22 May 2026
So on May 8, the department referred the case to the division of administrative hearings, where a judge can help sort out what happened and weigh in on what sanctions, if any, should be levied against her.
—Annie Martin, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2026
The international sanctions against Iran will collapse, and even more money will pour into the country’s accounts as its newly central role in the global economy becomes normalized.
—Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026
The investigations could result in liability, adverse publicity or other sanctions, the filing says.
—David Ingram, NBC news, 20 May 2026
The White House has also slapped fresh sanctions on a number of Cuban officials and organizations in recent weeks.
—Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 15 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
The filing was a precursor to what will surely be a defense request for sanctions, which could range from financial reimbursement for their clients’ legal fees and potentially against the individual prosecutors in the case.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2026
In the House, a Democratic plan for sweeping Russia sanctions and $1 billion in Ukraine aid is unlikely to pass but is energizing bipartisan efforts to preserve symbolic $400-million assistance.
—Stephen Groves, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
Cherfilus-McCormick resigned in April just minutes before the House Ethics Committee was set to recommend sanctions for what a subcommittee found were 25 violations of House rules.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 22 May 2026
The policy change is intended to offset Roscosmos’ losses in recent years, which have mounted after the onset of Western sanctions.
—Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 22 May 2026
So on May 8, the department referred the case to the division of administrative hearings, where a judge can help sort out what happened and weigh in on what sanctions, if any, should be levied against her.
—Annie Martin, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2026
The international sanctions against Iran will collapse, and even more money will pour into the country’s accounts as its newly central role in the global economy becomes normalized.
—Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026
The investigations could result in liability, adverse publicity or other sanctions, the filing says.
—David Ingram, NBC news, 20 May 2026
The White House has also slapped fresh sanctions on a number of Cuban officials and organizations in recent weeks.
—Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 15 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
-
That context is then used to power AI agents capable of acting on behalf of employees, completing multi-step tasks while understanding company structure, permissions, and workflows across tools like Slack, Salesforce, and Google Workspace.—
Michelle Castillo,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
-
The administration's approach to DACA showcases another way that officials are stripping away legal permissions to be in the country through temporary policies.—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Building inspector approves operations The restaurant posted on Instagram following the incident, assuring customers that the building had been evaluated.—
CBS Baltimore Staff,
CBS News,
23 May 2026
-
The city attorney reviews and approves contracts and ordinances for legal compliance, defends the city against lawsuits, and brings civil lawsuits on behalf of the city.—
The Editorial Board,
Daily News,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
Insurance companies counter that authorizations are a vital tool to prevent unnecessary tests and medical care that inflate medical bills for families.—
Ken Alltucker,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
-
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
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
-
This means cost-sharing for stormwater improvements will continue to be structured by the 83/17 split for decades to come – unless GLWA consents to renegotiating the deal.—
Nicole Van Lier,
The Conversation,
13 May 2026
-
Failure to provide additional information or consents will be grounds for disqualification, unless prohibited under applicable law.—
Time,
Time,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Footage released of attacks from the Ukrainian side confirms that the Hornet has an unusual user interface and seems able to lock on to targets from long range.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
-
Lynne Spears actually confirms this story in her memoir, Through the Storm.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sanctions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanctions. Accessed 26 May. 2026.
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