sanction

Meanings

• formal and explicit approval
• a mechanism of social control for enforcing a society's standards
• official permission or approval
• the act of final authorization
  • "it had the sanction of the church"
• give sanction to
• give authority or permission to
• give religious sanction to, such as through on oath

Synonyms

approve, authorisation, authority, authorization, countenance, endorsement, imprimatur, indorsement, O.K., okay, warrant