SANCTION Synonyms: 101 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'sanction' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of sanction are accredit , approve , certify , and endorse . While all these words mean "to have or express a favorable opinion of," sanction implies both approval and authorization. // the President sanctioned covert operations

Q: How do 'accredit' and 'certify' relate to one another, in the sense of 'sanction'?

Both accredit and certify usually imply official endorsement attesting to conformity to set standards. // the board voted to accredit the college // must be certified to teach

Q: In what contexts can 'approve' take the place of 'sanction'?

While the synonyms approve and sanction are close in meaning, approve often implies no more than this but may suggest considerable esteem or admiration. // the parents approve of the marriage

Q: When would 'endorse' be a good substitute for 'sanction'?

The synonyms endorse and sanction are sometimes interchangeable, but endorse suggests an explicit statement of support. // publicly endorsed her for Senator

sanction 1 of 2

noun

ˈsaŋ(k)-shən

Definition of sanction

as in permission

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

sanction

2 of 2

verb

as in to approve

to give official acceptance of as satisfactory the administration will sanction almost any field trip with educational value

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb sanction differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of sanction are accredit, approve, certify, and endorse. While all these words mean "to have or express a favorable opinion of," sanction implies both approval and authorization.

the President sanctioned covert operations

How do accredit and certify relate to one another, in the sense of sanction?

Both accredit and certify usually imply official endorsement attesting to conformity to set standards.

the board voted to accredit the college

must be certified to teach

In what contexts can approve take the place of sanction?

While the synonyms approve and sanction are close in meaning, approve often implies no more than this but may suggest considerable esteem or admiration.

the parents approve of the marriage

When would endorse be a good substitute for sanction?

The synonyms endorse and sanction are sometimes interchangeable, but endorse suggests an explicit statement of support.

publicly endorsed her for Senator

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of sanction

Noun

But the current Israeli government under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dramatically accelerated the approval of settlements in the West Bank, even as western countries have imposed sanctions on individuals linked with the settler movement. — Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026 Even so, Sepahvand, now director at Daric Investment Group, said Iran's economy is indeed deteriorating under the weight of mounting sanctions — but far from unraveling. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026

Verb

The Treasury Department has previously warned Chinese financial institutions that they could be sanctioned, but in public statements, top administration officials have downplayed China's role in the conflict. — Chris Boccia, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026 Options like seizing Iranian assets and sanctioning Iran’s trading partners, exchange houses, and Chinese banks all have potential downsides. — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sanction

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanction

Noun

Those already in the country on programs like Temporary Protected Status have also been stripped of that permission to stay.

— Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 15 Aug. 2026
Constant said failure to appear charges, often due to the bus being late, a lack of childcare or permission to take the day off from work, are driving Connecticut’s pretrial population.

— Kaitlin McCallum, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of permission

Verb

The California Energy Commission on Monday voted to approve rules that will phase out replacement tires that don't meet the state's energy-efficiency standards.

— Tom Wait, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Jeanie Buss fires her siblings, Part 2 Less than a month after the NBA approved Walter’s takeover, the Lakers fired Joey and Jesse Buss.

— Law Murray, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of approve

Noun

Culture Minister Isaac Tchiakpé rejected RSF’s assertion that the filmmakers had received authorization from his ministry to carry out the documentary shoot.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
Without work authorizations and the ability to drive, many have chosen for now, to remain home behind closed doors.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of authorization

Verb

The Supreme Court subsequently ratified the result, keeping Maduro in power.

— Catherine Ellis, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1979, was instituted after being ratified by nearly 100 nations.

— USA Today, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of ratify

Noun

He was also found guilty in June of one count each of fleeing a pursuing peace officer’s motor vehicle while driving recklessly, assault by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury and driving or taking a vehicle without consent.

— City News Service, Daily News, 18 Aug. 2026
Eventually, Copilot provided a stunning Microsoft trade secret—an undocumented prompt parameter that completely bypassed the requirement for user consent.

— Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of consent

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sanctimony

sanction

sanctioned

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Style

“Sanction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanction. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of sanction

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