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

DeGravelles, who is based in Louisiana where Mohammed had been held, said harsher sanctions would be warranted if his orders continued to go ignored. — Cbs Baltimore Staff, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Trade between the two countries had been expanding even as the US continued tightening sanctions on the regime. — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026

As Fortune’s Jordan Blum argues, this could accelerate a broader breakdown of the post-WWII maritime order, although some analysts believe Iran may ultimately use tolls mainly as a bargaining chip for sanctions relief. — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026

Cocaine is banned as a doping substance during competitions, with lower sanctions applied when used away from events. — ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sanctions against ICC President Tomoko Akane, of Japan, and Senior Trial Lawyer Abdoulaye Seye, of Senegal, on Wednesday. — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 19 Aug. 2026

Tygart hailed the importance of USADA’s real-time announcements of its doping sanctions. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 19 Aug. 2026

The embargo is the sharpest edge of a campaign (that also includes sweeping sanctions) to starve Tehran of oil revenue and undermine its economy, with the cost borne largely by ordinary Iranians. — semafor.com, 12 Aug. 2026

The vessel was seized as part of sanctions on Russian oligarchs and was previously valued at more than $300 million. — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 10 Aug. 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