1. Formally approved and invested with legal authority
   "The sanctioned treaty was signed by both nations";
   - ratified
    
2. Established by authority; given authoritative approval
   "a list of sanctioned candidates";
   - approved
    
3. Conforming to orthodox or recognized rules
   "the drinking of cocktails was as sanctioned a rite as the mixing";
   - canonic, canonical

1. Give permission or approval for something
   "I will sanction his educational policies";
   - approve, O.K., okay, green-light, greenlight, OK
    
2. Give authority or permission to
   "The committee sanctioned the proposed changes to the bylaws"
    
3. Give religious sanction to, such as through an oath
   "sanction the marriage";
   - sanctify
    
4. Impose a penalty on; inflict punishment on
   "The committee sanctioned the athlete for doping";
   - punish, penalize, penalise [Brit]

See also: authorised [Brit], authoritative, authorized, legal, orthodox

Type of: authorise [Brit], authorize, bring down, clear, empower, impose, inflict, obtrude, pass, visit

Encyclopedia: Sanctioned