sanction

American  

[sangk-shuhn] / ˈsæŋk ʃən /

noun

1. authoritative permission or approval, as for an action.

   Synonyms:

   authorization

   Antonyms:

   prohibition , interdiction

2. something that serves to support an action, condition, etc.

3. something that gives binding force, as to an oath, rule of conduct, etc.

4. Law.

   1. a provision of a law enacting a penalty for disobedience or a reward for obedience.

   2. the penalty or reward.

5. International Law.  action by one or more states toward another state calculated to force it to comply with legal obligations.

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verb (used with object)

1. to authorize, approve, or allow.

   an expression now sanctioned by educated usage.

   Synonyms:

   permit

   Antonyms:

   deny

2. to ratify or confirm.

   to sanction a law.

3. to impose a sanction on; penalize, especially by way of discipline.

sanction British  

/ ˈsæŋkʃən /

noun

1. final permission; authorization

2. aid or encouragement

3. something, such as an ethical principle, that imparts binding force to a rule, oath, etc

4. the penalty laid down in a law for contravention of its provisions

5. (often plural) a coercive measure, esp one taken by one or more states against another guilty of violating international law

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verb

1. to give authority to; permit

2. to make authorized; confirm

Usage

What does sanction mean? Sanction has two main senses that are almost opposites: it can refer to authorizing or approving something, or to penalizing or disciplining someone or something.Sanction can be used as a verb (meaning to authorize or to penalize) or a noun (meaning approval or penalty). It is most commonly used in official contexts. As a noun referring to a penalty, it is especially applied to situations in which one country’s government imposes economic sanctions on another to try to force it to comply with laws or certain expectations.Example: Economic sanctions are intended to force regimes to play by the rules, but they often end up hurting the average citizen.

Other Word Forms

• nonsanction noun
• resanction verb (used with object)
• sanctionable adjective
• sanctionative adjective
• sanctioner noun
• sanctionless adjective
• supersanction verb (used with object)
• unsanctionable adjective
• unsanctioning adjective

Etymology

Origin of sanction

First recorded in 1555–65; from Latin sānctiōn- (stem of sānctiō ), equivalent to sānct(us) (past participle of sancīre “to prescribe by law”) + -iōn- noun suffix; -ion

Example Sentences

Denmark's representative Elsebeth Sondergaard Krone, speaking on behalf of the European Union, said the bloc "stands firm in defence of the court in the face of threats and sanctions against the court".

From Barron's

About a month ago the company said it had agreed to buy the international assets of Lukoil, shortly after the Russian oil producer was hit by U.S. sanctions.

From The Wall Street Journal

Government authorities have stepped in with official relief measures and sanctioned mourning activities, such as flying flags at half-staff and the establishment of designated condolence sites.

From The Wall Street Journal

On social media, some accused the Chinese authorities of taking away its own people's freedom to enjoy culture, in its attempts to sanction Japan.

From BBC

Strict sanctions imposed by the U.S. on Russian energy companies have provided bottom-line support for oil prices, they note.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• accredit
• allow
• approve
• certify
• empower
• endorse
• permit
• ratify
• warrant