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

The U.S. envoy was deep into a vodka-drenched dinner negotiating sanctions relief with Alexander Lukashenko when the Belarusian strongman—Vladimir Putin’s closest ally—turned to him with a personal question: Have you lost weight?

From The Wall Street Journal

The US also lifted sanctions that had been placed on Justice Moraes in July.

From BBC

Chelsea are also subject to Uefa sanctions requiring them to maintain a "positive transfer balance" or risk being unable to register new signings for the Champions League.

From BBC

One O’Smach casino resort that was targeted by the Thai military this month was placed under sanctions by the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal

In 2014, Congress ordered sanctions to be imposed because of election violence and human rights violations.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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