sanction
15 synonyms and 6 antonyms for sanction, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Official approval or permission for an action.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
Official approval or permission for an action.
“The project went ahead with the full sanction of the board.”
authority
authorisation
ban
boycott
estoppel
injunction
interdiction
embargo
penalties
proscription
taboo
authorization
Opposites
How to use sanction
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
impose sanctions
economic sanctions
official sanction
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.
