as in approving
to give official acceptance of as satisfactory
the administration will sanction almost any field trip with educational value
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as in approval
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Recent Examples of sanctioning
Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
There is increasing international condemnation and sanctioning of some of the government’s more prominent members who are accused of using genocidal language against the Palestinians in Gaza and elsewhere.
—Asher Kaufman, The Conversation, 23 Aug. 2025
Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2025
In reality, the first scenario does not exist and the guarantees that would underpin the second are impossible to give, meaning sanctioning a sale at this stage in the window, at any price, would represent a sporting gamble that could be risky at best, reckless at worst.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
Trump has refrained from sanctioning Russian trading partners but has remained adamant about ending the war.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 20 Aug. 2025
The four-belt era in boxing began in 2007 when the World Boxing Organization (WBO) became the fourth major sanctioning body.
—Eduardo Tansley, The Athletic, 20 Dec. 2024
Nascar traditionally held single-car, single-lap qualifying until the mid-2000s, when the sanctioning body believed changing the format would boost TV ratings for qualifying.
—Joseph Wolkin, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
Further sanctioning the already ailing Cuban economy could backfire though.
—Patrick Oppmann, CNN, 8 Dec. 2024
Sergey Pivovarov | Reuters The White House had been wary of sanctioning the bank before, since it’s also used to receive payments from European buyers of Russian natural gas — but most of these consumers have looked to greatly reduce their Russian gas purchases since the war started.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 28 Nov. 2024
Even though there does not appear to be involvement from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer or members of his government, an election lawyer told the Telegraph that the volunteers ran the risk of breaking election laws in the United States, opening the Harris campaign to sanctioning.
—Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 18 Oct. 2024
Verb
The sanctioning of high school sports is critical to allow student-athletes to safely participate in sports without the risk of exploitation.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
There is increasing international condemnation and sanctioning of some of the government’s more prominent members who are accused of using genocidal language against the Palestinians in Gaza and elsewhere.
—Asher Kaufman, The Conversation, 23 Aug. 2025
Noun
The entities sued the motorsport sanctioning body after declining to sign the charter agreement that NASCAR made available to teams to sign in September.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2025
In reality, the first scenario does not exist and the guarantees that would underpin the second are impossible to give, meaning sanctioning a sale at this stage in the window, at any price, would represent a sporting gamble that could be risky at best, reckless at worst.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
Trump has refrained from sanctioning Russian trading partners but has remained adamant about ending the war.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 20 Aug. 2025
The four-belt era in boxing began in 2007 when the World Boxing Organization (WBO) became the fourth major sanctioning body.
—Eduardo Tansley, The Athletic, 20 Dec. 2024
Nascar traditionally held single-car, single-lap qualifying until the mid-2000s, when the sanctioning body believed changing the format would boost TV ratings for qualifying.
—Joseph Wolkin, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
Further sanctioning the already ailing Cuban economy could backfire though.
—Patrick Oppmann, CNN, 8 Dec. 2024
Sergey Pivovarov | Reuters The White House had been wary of sanctioning the bank before, since it’s also used to receive payments from European buyers of Russian natural gas — but most of these consumers have looked to greatly reduce their Russian gas purchases since the war started.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 28 Nov. 2024
Even though there does not appear to be involvement from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer or members of his government, an election lawyer told the Telegraph that the volunteers ran the risk of breaking election laws in the United States, opening the Harris campaign to sanctioning.
—Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 18 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanctioning
Verb
-
In 2021, at the height of the pandemic, Kennedy petitioned the Food and Drug Administration to revoke authorization of COVID-19 vaccines and refrain from approving any future COVID-19 vaccines.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The absence of a seventh council member to break ties is preventing any progress on approving a fiscal plan.—
Veronica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
However, Xiaopeng has noted that while the G7 already delivers the intelligence and processing required for L3 operation, it will only be considered a true Level 3 car once hardware redundancy is fully implemented and the vehicle receives the necessary regulatory approvals.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Their approval to compete this September generated significant uproar, with many alleging Angelina Melnikova’s participation, in particular, violates FIG rules.—
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Bethea said the fact that Sky Chefs has delayed ratifying their contract at BWI is a testament to its values.—
Chevall Pryce,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The United States has long upheld most tenets of UNCLOS, benefiting from its framework even without ratifying it.—
Kevin Green,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Why does the opening of a cardboard box give me tacit permission to act like a sociopath?—
Julie Beck,
The Atlantic,
17 Sep. 2025
-
The company is adding agentic capabilities to Seller Assistant, its AI tool for third-party sellers, meaning the software can take action on a merchant's behalf with their permission, Amazon said.—
Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The glasses, which costs $799, contain a small digital display that can be controlled via hand gestures through a wristband powered by neural technology, confirming a CNBC report in August.—
Jonathan Vanian,
CNBC,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Ford is not confirming exactly how many employees will be assigned to the new world headquarters building, but about 500 employees already are working in the new building, Dobleske said.—
Jamie L. LaReau,
USA Today,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Pablo Torre first broke the story on his Pablo Torre Finds Out podcast, revealing that Leonard had a four-year, $28 million endorsement deal with a now-bankrupt environmental company that didn't actually require him to do anything.—
Bryan Toporek,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Mamdani's lead has grown even as high-profile national Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have held back endorsements.—
Joel Thayer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Kimmel had been a staunch supporter of Colbert, even endorsing him to beat his own show in the category of Outstanding Talk Series at Sunday's Emmys.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Last week, Cassidy urged Kennedy to join him in endorsing a childhood vaccine for whooping cough.—
Nathaniel Weixel,
The Hill,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Sappers Will Get Robotic Support Drone warfare and robotics are also reshaping the dangerous business of mine clearance.—
David Kirichenko,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Encampment clearance, arrests, incarceration, and the demonization of people experiencing homelessness by using the archaic language of vagrancy laws exacerbate the social, economic, and personal circumstances that already challenge individuals’ subsistence and independence.—
Time,
Time,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sanctioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanctioning. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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