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

Those options reportedly include tighter economic sanctions and expanding restrictions on Iranian trade. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026

In downtown Tehran, cafes are constantly packed — a striking sight for a country grappling with Western sanctions and an economic slump exacerbated by the war. — CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026

The case collapsed in May amid allegations of prosecutorial misconduct, and Perry has since begun an inquiry that could lead to sanctions or even appointment of special counsel to investigate criminal contempt charges. — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026

The vessel has operated under multiple flags, including the Comoros and Zimbabwe, and has been linked in sanctions records to Gravion Maritime Co. — Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026

Unfortunately, there was a clause in the legislation that allowed the president to invoke a waiver of the sanctions. — Tom Jurkowsky, Baltimore Sun, 2 Nov. 2026

She’s expected to continue Radev’s policy of keeping Bulgaria on its European path while also supporting better relations with Russia and the lifting of sanctions. — Veselin Toshkov, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026

Trump has made significant concessions to Russia on sanctions in recent weeks, which have triggered criticism on both sides of the aisle in Washington and driven a wedge between the US and its Western allies. — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 1 Nov. 2026

For Moscow, the route offers an opportunity to redirect energy exports toward Asia as Western sanctions constrain its access to European markets, said industry watchers whom CNBC spoke to. — Lee Ying Shan,matthew Tan, CNBC, 27 Oct. 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