sanction
6 antonyms and opposites of sanction, grouped by meaning.
Noun — Official approval or permission for an action.
Antonyms
How to use sanction
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin sanctio, related to sanctus ("holy" or "binding") — originally a solemn decree.
Full origin of sanction →Frequently asked questions
What does “sanction” mean?
The word “sanction” means official approval or permission for an action. In plain terms, confusingly, this word can mean either "approve" or "punish" — the meaning depends entirely on context.
How do you pronounce “sanction”?
“Sanction” is pronounced SANGK-shuhn (/ˈseɪ̯ŋkʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “sanction” in a sentence?
Here is “sanction” used in a sentence: “The project went ahead with the full sanction of the board.”
What is another word for “sanction”?
Words with a similar meaning to “sanction” include ban, boycott, estoppel, injunction, interdiction and embargo.
What is the opposite of “sanction”?
The opposite of “sanction” — its antonyms — are permission, endorsement, support, confirmation and allowance.
What part of speech is “sanction”?
Depending on how it is used, “sanction” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “sanction” come from?
The word “sanction” comes from Latin. From Latin sanctio, related to sanctus ("holy" or "binding") — originally a solemn decree.
Is “sanction” a common word?
“Sanction” is an uncommon word in modern English.