as in official
ordered or allowed by those in authority
I cannot believe that this religious cult is a sanctioned student organization
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in approved
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 sanctioned
Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 8 Jan. 2026
The sanctioned tanker was recently reflagged to become a Russian vessel.
—Ashley Carnahan , Jennifer Griffin , Lucas Y. Tomlinson, FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026
One vessel was seized in the Caribbean while allegedly transporting Venezuelan crude, highlighting Washington’s efforts to prevent sanctioned oil from reaching international markets.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
Kpler analysis shows Sophia's involvement in sanctioned trade may extend back to November 2021.
—Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 7 Jan. 2026
As a result, some sanctioned tankers began to divert away from the South American country.
—Konstantin Toropin, Twin Cities, 29 Dec. 2025
Attorney General Pam Bondi said the crude oil tanker was used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 21 Dec. 2025
Some sanctioned tankers already are diverting away from Venezuela.
—Konstantin Toropin, Fortune, 21 Dec. 2025
Some sanctioned tankers are already diverting away from Venezuela.
—Arkansas Online, 21 Dec. 2025
Kosta Gak, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
The Olina, previously named the Minerva M, was sanctioned by the United States for its role in transporting Russian oil, according to The Wall Street Journal.
—Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
The Marinera, formerly Bella-1 The Marinera — which has historically carried Venezuelan crude oil and was sanctioned by the Treasury Department — was sailing under the Russian flag.
—Eleanor Watson, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
Some events outside the 52-week program of tournaments — which see players earn ranking points as well as money — have official status (the Laver Cup is sanctioned by the ATP).
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
Nevertheless, the White House has personally sanctioned Petro and repeatedly accused him of involvement in the narcotics trade.
—Alfie Pannell, Miami Herald, 5 Jan. 2026
How Venezuela’s nationalized, and in some cases internationally sanctioned, oil resources are opened will determine who benefits, said Kenneth Gillingham, a Yale University professor of environmental and energy economics.
—Dallas Morning News, 5 Jan. 2026
Now in her 90s, Riddick recalled the early days of the Pumpkin Roll, when the event wasn't officially sanctioned by the city and someone at the bottom of Midland Road would tell people by radio whether there was oncoming traffic on Kavanaugh or not.
—Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 3 Nov. 2025
In March 2026, Chamley-Watson will launch the first-ever Miles Chamley-Watson Cup as a youth competition in Atlantic City sanctioned by USA Fencing and aiming to inspire the next generation of fencers.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
The sanctioned vessel, called the Marinera, had fled the American blockade of Venezuela last month.
—Verb
Putin is yet to comment on the developments related to the tanker, which the US had previously sanctioned for carrying illicit Iranian oil.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanctioned
Adjective
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The two attorneys made a slew of arguments to defend their position, including that the pair of lawmakers did not have legal standing to bring a suit related to their official duties in the first place.—
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Park’s remarks came two days after the official one-year anniversary of the start of the fires.—
Verb
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If approved, new local sales taxes in Olathe would pay back the stadium bonds instead of going toward other local government functions.—
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The county has approved the extra occupancy at Harvest Farm through March of this year.—
Adjective
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His wife Jayni Chase, who married Chevy in 1982, also participated in the authorized documentary.—
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Discharge to surface waters is an authorized option, and no applicable water quality standards support a complete prohibition.—
Verb
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The United States has not ratified the convention but generally treats its provisions as customary law.—
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The win came after the 30-team ECHL and its players’ union ratified a new five-year collective-bargaining agreement.—
Verb
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Things became clearer on December 28, when Dreame released teaser images and confirmed that its first car would debut at CES 2026.—
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His maiden first-class — let alone Test — century was confirmed with a tension-lancing scythe over midwicket in the final session, writes Dominic Fifield.—
Cite this Entry
“Sanctioned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanctioned. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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