'Sanction' definitions:
Definition of 'sanction'
From: WordNet
noun
Formal and explicit approval; "a Democrat usually gets the union's endorsement" [syn: sanction, countenance, endorsement, indorsement, warrant, imprimatur]
noun
A mechanism of social control for enforcing a society's standards
noun
Official permission or approval; "authority for the program was renewed several times" [syn: authority, authorization, authorisation, sanction]
noun
The act of final authorization; "it had the sanction of the church"
verb
Give sanction to; "I approve of his educational policies" [syn: approve, O.K., okay, sanction] [ant: disapprove, reject]
verb
Give authority or permission to
verb
Give religious sanction to, such as through on oath; "sanctify the marriage"
Definition of 'Sanction'
From: GCIDE
- Sanction \Sanc"tion\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sanctioned; p. pr. & vb. n. Sanctioning.] To give sanction to; to ratify; to confirm; to approve. [1913 Webster]
- Would have counseled, or even sanctioned, such perilous experiments. --De Quincey. [1913 Webster]
- Syn: To ratify; confirm; authorize; countenance. [1913 Webster]
Definition of 'Sanction'
From: GCIDE
- Sanction \Sanc"tion\, n. [L. sanctio, from sancire, sanctum to render sacred or inviolable, to fix unalterably: cf. F. sanction. See Saint.]
- 1. Solemn or ceremonious ratification; an official act of a superior by which he ratifies and gives validity to the act of some other person or body; establishment or furtherance of anything by giving authority to it; confirmation; approbation. [1913 Webster]
- The strictest professors of reason have added the sanction of their testimony. --I. Watts. [1913 Webster]
- 2. Anything done or said to enforce the will, law, or authority of another; as, legal sanctions. [1913 Webster]
- Syn: Ratification; authorization; authority; countenance; support. [1913 Webster]
Synonyms of 'sanction'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- accede to,
- accept,
- acceptance,
- accord,
- accord to,
- accredit,
- acquiescence,
- adherence,
- admiration,
- admire,
- advocacy,
- advocate,
- affirm,
- affirmance,
- affirmation,
- affirmative,
- affirmative voice,
- agree to,
- agreement,
- aid,
- allow,
- allowance,
- amen,
- approbation,
- approval,
- approve,
- approve of,
- assent,
- authenticate,
- authentication,
- authority,
- authorization,
- authorize,
- autograph,
- aye,
- back,
- backing,
- ban,
- be willing,
- bless,
- blessing,
- certificate,
- certification,
- certify,
- charter,
- clearance,
- commission,
- compliance,
- concurrence,
- condescend,
- confirm,
- confirmation,
- connivance,
- connive at,
- consent,
- consent to,
- consent to silently,
- constitute,
- cosign,
- countenance,
- countersign,
- countersignature,
- declare lawful,
- decree,
- deign,
- discipline,
- eagerness,
- empower,
- empowerment,
- enable,
- enabling,
- enact,
- enactment,
- encourage,
- encouragement,
- endorse,
- endorsement,
- enfranchise,
- enfranchisement,
- entitle,
- entitlement,
- establish,
- esteem,
- favor,
- favorable vote,
- fiat,
- formulate,
- franchise,
- give consent,
- give official sanction,
- give permission,
- give power,
- give the go-ahead,
- give the imprimatur,
- give thumbs up,
- go along with,
- go-ahead,
- grant,
- green light,
- have no objection,
- help,
- hold with,
- imprimatur,
- initial,
- John Hancock,
- keep in countenance,
- leave,
- legalization,
- legalize,
- legislate,
- legislation,
- legitimate,
- legitimatization,
- legitimatize,
- legitimization,
- legitimize,
- license,
- make a regulation,
- make legal,
- nod,
- nod assent,
- not refuse,
- notarization,
- notarize,
- OK,
- okay,
- ordain,
- pass,
- pass on,
- pass upon,
- patent,
- penalty,
- permission,
- permit,
- prescribe,
- privilege,
- promptitude,
- promptness,
- punishment,
- put in force,
- ratification,
- ratify,
- readiness,
- recommendation,
- redress,
- regulate,
- respect,
- retaliation,
- retribution,
- rubber stamp,
- say amen to,
- say aye,
- say yes,
- seal,
- seal of approval,
- second,
- sigil,
- sign,
- sign and seal,
- signature,
- signet,
- sponsor,
- sponsorship,
- stamp,
- stamp of approval,
- submission,
- subscribe to,
- subscription,
- sufferance,
- support,
- swear and affirm,
- swear to,
- take kindly to,
- the nod,
- think well of,
- undersign,
- underwrite,
- ungrudgingness,
- unloathness,
- unreluctance,
- uphold,
- validate,
- validation,
- view with favor,
- visa,
- vise,
- voice,
- vote,
- vote affirmatively,
- vote aye,
- vouchsafe,
- warrant,
- warranty,
- willingness,
- wink at,
- yea,
- yea vote,
- yield assent