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
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sanction
Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
Her analysis further suggests that a sanctions-relief agreement that leaves Iran’s broader capabilities intact could stabilize the regime at a moment of internal pressure while preserving its military leverage.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Heraskevych evidently can train in the helmet without risk of IOC sanctioning.
—Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sanction
Noun
There will be weapons, sanctions, and pushback.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
Her analysis further suggests that a sanctions-relief agreement that leaves Iran’s broader capabilities intact could stabilize the regime at a moment of internal pressure while preserving its military leverage.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
The walkout was not school-sanctioned but students spoke in advance with Principal Rob Coppo about their right to protest and with the San Diego Police Department.
—Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Heraskevych evidently can train in the helmet without risk of IOC sanctioning.
—Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sanction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanction
Noun
-
Remove permissions that are not essential.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The seizure of one's property without the permission of the owner/possessor or a warrant.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The council also approved the appointment of Josiah Ben-Oni Graham to fill a partial-term vacancy that expires in November.—
Hema Sivanandam,
Mercury News,
12 Feb. 2026
-
The City Council has approved a June ballot measure that would raise the hotel tax.—
Sandra McDonald,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The union already has strike authorization from 98% of the refinery’s 840 union workers; Local 7-1’s bargaining unit will take it to USW international for final approval.—
Michelle L. Quinn,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
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Matt Faustman is the co-founder and CEO of Honey Health, a company that develops AI tools designed to automate tasks for providers — including managing fax inboxes, processing prior authorizations and retrieving patient records.—
Windsor Johnston,
NPR,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But the leaders have yet to sign the treaty and parliaments have yet to ratify it.—
Michelle L. Price,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
In June 2025, the Carroll County Board of Education unanimously ratified a contract with the Carroll County Education Association that delayed cost-of-living and step salary increases for staff for one year.—
Gabriella Fine,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Per the consent order, Humpal is set to pay the more than $33,000 for fish kill and investigative costs, plus a $5,000 administrative fee by September 2027.—
Cami Koons,
Iowa Capital Dispatch,
10 Feb. 2026
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Walter could no longer swallow, and required the placement of a feeding tube—a surgery that was postponed three times because, according to doctors, Guojun refused to provide consent.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Among these benefits was the granting of an American Express Centurion cards to him and his wife.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The last large-scale granting of legal status took place almost 21 years ago, under the government of José Luís Rodríguez Zapatero, which processed more than 576,000 applications.—
Pau Mosquera,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sanction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanction. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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