His father would never sanction his engagement to a girl who did not share the same religious beliefs as their family.
Source: tatoeba (1983)
Sanction
/ˈsæŋkʃən/
Synonyms for "sanction" (373 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (75)
Noun(19 words)
authorizationact prep programallowapprobationsapprovalapproval expressionapprovalsauthorisationauthorityauthorizebanblacklistingblockadesboard approvalboycottboycottingboycottscastigationcensures
abetaccedeaccede toacceptacceptanceaccordaccord toaccreditacquiescenceadherenceadmirationadmireadvocacyadvocateaffirmaffirmanceaffirmationaffirmativeaffirmative voiceagree to
Verb(11 words)
Strong matches (112)
Noun(31 words)
censuringchastisementchastisementscomeuppancecommissioningcondoescondoningconsentcorrectingcountenancecountenancescountenancingcriminal code penaltiesdemeritdemeritsdisciplinediscipline related termdiscipline termembargoendorsement
Show 11 more words
estoppelexcommunicationexpress supportfinefrench validergerman validierengodfathershorsewhipsimprimaturimprimatursindorsement
certificatecertificationcertifycharterclearancecommissioncomplianceconcurrencecondescendconfirmconfirmationconnivanceconnive atconsentconsent toconsent to silentlyconstitutecosigncountenancecountersign
Show 48 more words
countersignaturecredentialsdeclare lawfuldecreedeigndisciplineeagernessempowerempowermentenableenablingenactenactmentencourageencouragementendorseendorsementenfranchiseenfranchisemententitleentitlementestablishesteemfacultyfancyfavorfavorable votefiatformulatefranchisegive consentgive official sanctiongive permissiongive powergive the go-aheadgive the imprimaturgive thumbs upgo aheadgo along withgo-aheadgrantgreen lighthave no objectionhearhelphold withimprimaturindorse
Verb(11 words)
chastisescondoneconfirmscountenancedendorsedendorsingenforce civil order guidelinesestablishesindorseindorsedinflicted
Adjective(2 words)
educational consequencefavorable regard
Related words (186)
initialjohn hancockjustifykeep in countenanceleavelegalizationlegalizelegislatelegislationlegitimatelegitimatizationlegitimatizelegitimizationlegitimizeletlicensemakemake a regulationmake legalnod
Show 86 more words
nod assentnot refusenotarizationnotarizeokokayordainpasspass onpass uponpassagepatentpenaltypermissionpermitprerogativeprescribeprivilegepromotepromotionpromptitudepromptnesspunishmentput in forceratificationratifyreadinessrecognizerecommendationredressregulaterespectretaliationretributionrubber stampsay amen tosay ayesay yessealseal of approvalsecondsigilsignsign and sealsignaturesignetsponsorsponsorshipstampstamp of approvalsubmissionsubscribesubscribe tosubscriptionsufferancesupportsustainswear and affirmswear totake kindly tothe nodthink well oftolerateundersignunderwriteungrudgingnessunloathnessunreluctanceupholdvalidatevalidationview with favorvisavisevoicevotevote affirmativelyvote ayevouchsafewarrantwarrantywillingnesswink atyeayea voteyield assent
Noun(50 words)
injunctioninterdictionitalian approvarejustify with evidencelaw ratificationlawbreaking penaltylegal penaltylegalizinglegitimate powerlegitimatinglettinglicenseloss of privilegesmost academic disciplinemost approvedmost disciplinarymulctnoi validiamoofficial endorsementokaying
Show 30 more words
Verb(27 words)
legalizedlegalizeslegitimateslegitimizedlegitimizeso.k.obtain consentofficializeokayokayedokedokingpenalisepenalize violationspenalizespunishedpunishesratifiedratifiesretaliates
Show 7 more words
Determiner(1 words)
the discipline
Adjective(2 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: authorization, abet, accede, accede to, accept.
- Sentence evidence is available for sanction, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, derived_reverse, moby, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "sanction".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "sanction"
Keep "sanction" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "sanction" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "sanction", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "sanction" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
23 entriesShowing 16 of 23 words.
More specific
9 entriesCollocations
11 entriesadministrative sanctioneconomic sanctioninternational sanctioninternational sanctionssanction listsanction regimesanctions listsanctions regimetrade sanctionunilateral sanctionunilateral sanctions
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
4 entriesSample sentences
16 total sentences available.
That requires the sanction of the government.
Source: tatoeba (42283)
It is necessary to obtain the sanction of the authorities to enter this building.
Source: tatoeba (59448)
It was natural and perhaps human that the privileged princes of these new economic dynasties, thirsting for power, reached out for control over government itself. They created a new despotism and wrapped it in the robes of legal sanction. In its service new mercenaries sought to regiment the people, their labor, and their property.
Source: tatoeba (5287351)
Showing 4 of 16 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "sanction"?
Closest matches include authorization, abet, accede, accede to, accept.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "sanction"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.