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

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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

And the European diplomatic service responded with derision to Trump’s waiver of sanctions. — Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026 Trump has accused the Ukrainian president of not wanting peace, while Zelenskyy has argued that Washington's easing of sanctions on Russia, including a deal on diesel, risks prolonging the conflict. — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026

Verb

Even to the point of being fined and sanctioned by the European Union courts for refusing to open their gates to unchecked immigration, in Hungary’s case under former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, while Poland faced sanctions in 2025. — Tyler Speicher, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026 The University Interscholastic League is one step closer to sanctioning girls high school flag football in Texas. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sanction

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanction

Noun

Some cultures clean graves as a regular ritual Abrams agreed that proper cleaning, as well as permission from cemeteries, are crucial before setting out to clean a grave.

— Kimberlee Kruesi, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
The files were later released online and made available on streaming platforms without Mathers' permission or knowledge.

— Eric Henderson, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of permission

Verb

Because the veteran lawmaker knew whom to call, Kifowit was able to cut through the red tape in about a day and a half and get the surgery approved.

— Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
The council also approved a 25% increase for the county executive, from $192,000 to $240,000.

— Natalie Jones, Baltimore Sun, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of approve

Noun

The deal, however, remains subject to congressional authorization and appropriations.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 22 Oct. 2026
The Endeavor nurses needed at least 30% of potential bargaining unit members to sign union authorization cards to file the election petition with the National Labor Relations Board.

— Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of authorization

Verb

The report also warned that failure to ratify the contract would stop rehabilitation work, leaving the neighborhood vulnerable to further deterioration.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026
A day before the convention was signed, 19 nongovernmental organizations released a joint statement urging nations to not sign or ratify the treaty.

— Mary Lind, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of ratify

Noun

In her lawsuit, Jane Doe accused the student of having sex with her without her consent alongside another fraternity member and later joining other men in snorting ketamine from her body.

— Leah Willingham, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
In the Five Below case, prosecutors allege Eisenhard isolated a 19-year-old female coworker in a stockroom and touched her without her consent.

— Frederick Sutton Sinclair, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of consent

Noun

The incredibly generous support from the Hearthland Foundation will underwrite our directors lab returning to the Sundance Mountain Resort and provide vital artist granting, which is profoundly meaningful.

— Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026
To that, the AG’s office were silent Thursday on the granting of Block the Merger’s eleventh-hour motion.

— Dominic Patten, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of granting

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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 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of sanction

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