sanction

[ sangk-shuhn ]

/ ˈsæŋk ʃən /

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See synonyms for: sanction / sanctioned / sanctioning / sanctions on Thesaurus.com

noun

authoritative permission or approval, as for an action.

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

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

Law.

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

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

verb (used with object)

to authorize, approve, or allow: an expression now sanctioned by educated usage.

to ratify or confirm: to sanction a law.

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

OTHER WORDS FOR sanction

1 authorization.

6 permit.

See synonyms for sanction on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR sanction

1 interdiction, prohibition.

6 deny.

See antonyms for sanction on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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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; see -ion

OTHER WORDS FROM sanction

sanc·tion·a·ble, adjectivesanc·tion·a·tive, adjectivesanc·tion·er, nounsanc·tion·less, adjective

non·sanc·tion, nounre·sanc·tion, verb (used with object)su·per·sanc·tion, verb (used with object), nounun·sanc·tion·a·ble, adjectiveun·sanc·tion·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use sanction in a sentence

Imam Bheel, as locals call him, was added to a list of worldwide traffickers subject to U.S. sanctions in 2009.
The Dangerous Drug-Funded Secret War Between Iran and Pakistan|Umar Farooq|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Pyongyang has given the Obama administration no choice but to retaliate now by imposing sanctions or even an embargo.
U.S. Should Make North Korea Pay for Sony Hack|Gordon G. Chang|December 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
According to Belkovsky, both officials got out in time to escape new Western sanctions.
Recession? Devaluation? Inflation? Putin Tells Russia Stay the Course.|Anna Nemtsova|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In his opinion, Rio Tinto has not addressed this provision of the comprehensive sanctions against Iran.
McCain Helps a Business Partner of Iran|Ben Jacobs|November 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Rio Tinto also reiterated that holdings in the mine are fully compliant with the current sanctions regime.
McCain Helps a Business Partner of Iran|Ben Jacobs|November 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It is best not to dig and delve for a meaning, Miss Tessa; society sanctions many phrases that you would not speak in sincerity.
Tessa Wadsworth's Discipline|Jennie M. Drinkwater
Mamma sanctions the gift, so you need have no scruples about accepting them.
Ernest Linwood|Caroline Lee Hentz
The complaint that it sanctions 'expediency' is a simple fallacy.
The English Utilitarians, Volume II (of 3)|Leslie Stephen
Every command that sanctions it, sanctions every exercise of Covenanting in which it is used.
The Ordinance of Covenanting|John Cunningham
Furthermore, the repressive character of the sanctions which are attached to it is sensibly less accentuated.
Introduction to the Science of Sociology|Robert E. Park

British Dictionary definitions for sanction

sanction

/ (ˈsæŋkʃən) /

noun

final permission; authorization

aid or encouragement

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

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

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

verb (tr)

to give authority to; permit

to make authorized; confirm

Derived forms of sanction

sanctionable, adjectivesanctioner, nounsanctionless, adjective

Word Origin for sanction

C16: from Latin sanctiō the establishment of an inviolable decree, from sancīre to decree

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

sanction

OTHER WORDS FOR sanction

OPPOSITES FOR sanction

Origin of sanction

OTHER WORDS FROM sanction

Words related to sanction

How to use sanction in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for sanction

Derived forms of sanction

Word Origin for sanction