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

Prosecutors said that, prior to the National Security Law’s (NSL) imposition, Wong had joined others to lobby for a law in the United States that would allow Washington to sanction Hong Kong and China. — Chris Lau, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026 In August, the State Department announced sanctions against ICC President Tomoko Akane of Japan and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye of Senegal over their involvement in the court’s investigation of Israel’s war in Gaza. — Howard Lafranchi, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Sep. 2026

Verb

But those trades now will be tested if Washington makes good on its threat to sanction any entity, including Indian refiners, that have procured Iranian energy. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026 The Treasury Department has sanctioned such independent Chinese refineries, but in May, Beijing ordered its companies to ignore the restrictions. — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sanction

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanction

Noun

Last month, San Francisco lawmakers unanimously declared the Latin Rock House a historic landmark, formally protecting the Spanish-style home from being painted over, altered or destroyed by future owners or developers without the city's permission.

— Marissa J. Lang, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026
Over the years, many singers, including Elvis Presley, asked for permission to record the song.

— Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of permission

Verb

In his dissent on the ballroom construction, Roberts wrote that the project – which has not been approved by Congress – probably infringes on lawmakers’ ability to control federal spending and to regulate federal property.

— Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Those changes were made when the Senate approved its version of the bill.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of approve

Noun

Although the proposal will remain on Thursday’s agenda because of the 72-hour posting requirement, Kayatta said it will effectively be withdrawn during the meeting with authorization from Board President Tara Jeane.

— Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Telle worked closely on the Abraham Accords and the authorization of the Space Force.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of authorization

Noun

He was later released on bail and charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, intentionally chok[ing a] person without consent and common assault.

— Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
In some places, you may be permitted to record a conversation; in others, consent may be required.

— William Phillips, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of consent

Browse Nearby Words

sanctimony

sanction

sanctioned

See all Nearby Words

Articles Related to sanction

Cite this Entry

Style

“Sanction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanction. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of sanction

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Contradictory Words Quiz

The Words of the Week - Feb. 23

Word of the Year 2022

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on sanction

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

matriculate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes