to sanction

Examples

• All

• This place has been sanctioned for the solemnisation of matrimony and matrimony should not be entered into lightly.

  A Kind of Loving (1962)

• Are you sanctioned to preach by any church?

  Elmer Gantry (1960)

• Ah, the church does not sanction extremes of any kind.

  Francis of Assisi (1961)

• Sanction our hunt this night and grant us our prey.

  Dragonfyre (2013)

• Why, divorce is sanctioned, even by the church.

  Anna Karenina (1997)

• To assure the faithful in Germany religious and educational freedom, Pius XI sanctioned negotiations.

  Academic text (1998)

• This is the divinely sanctioned starting point for pilgrimage up the Ganges.

  Ocean to Sky (2019)

• The bishop decided to sanction the ceremony after reviewing the couple's request.

• Before proceeding with the community project, we need to sanction it in the town hall meeting.

Synonyms

C

to confirm

vsto sanction

• Formal

265 2.6

To officially approve a person for a job, often by vote

applies to formal approval in many contexts, not only appointments

C

to certify

vsto sanction

• Formal

192 3.9

To officially say that something meets a required standard

is more about granting approval by ceremony or oath than verifying standards

R

to ratify

vsto sanction

• Formal

70 6.0

Officially approve an agreement, law, or decision

is broader, covering both ceremonial approval and other official endorsements

L

to legitimize

vsto sanction

• US

40 5.8

To make something legal or officially accepted

includes legal acceptance but also covers ceremonial or religious endorsement

S

to sanctify

vsto sanction

24 7.4

To make a person or place holy with a religious ceremony

covers religious approval but also includes nonreligious official authorization

O

to okay

vsto sanction

18 3.1

To give official permission to proceed

adds possible religious or ceremonial meaning beyond simple formal permission

F

to formalize

vsto sanction

• US

15 4.9

To make something official by following rules, often with a written agreement

emphasizes giving formal approval, which can also be religious or ceremonial

C

to countenance

vsto sanction

• Formal

10 8.3

To allow something by showing approval

is the act of formally giving approval, sometimes through ceremony

S

to solemnize

vsto sanction

• Formal

1 8.2

To mark an event with a formal, serious ceremony

focuses on granting official or religious approval rather than only holding a ceremony

O

to officialize

vsto sanction

• US

1 7.0

To give something formal approval from someone in charge

adds the idea of religious approval and ceremonial oath beyond mere status

C

consecrate

vsto sanction

• Formal

8.4

Made holy by a ceremony for religious use

gives official or religious approval more broadly, not only making sacred

A

to approbate

vsto sanction

• Formal

9.9

To give official permission to a plan or document by an authority

includes ceremonial religious approval as well as formal legal acceptance

H

to homologate

vsto sanction

• Formal

9.9

To officially approve a product for legal or technical use

is less technical and can mean general official or religious approval

L

to legitimise

vsto sanction

• UK

5.0

Make something legal by official approval

can also mean approval given through ceremony or religious rite

O

to O.K.

vsto sanction

2.3

To give permission to start or use something

is the full concept that can include religious or ceremonial approval as well

Compounds

P

pragmatic sanction

• Formal

9.9

An official order by a king or emperor that becomes a basic law of the country

How Official

to ratify

• Formal

70 6.0

to consecrate

• Formal

33 7.4

to sanction

• Formal

16 7.1

to authorize

489 4.4

to approve

∞ 1.6

to endorse

183 4.2

Surface Forms

Etymology