sanction

[sangk-shuhn]

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.

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

/ 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

verb

1. to give authority to; permit

2. to make authorized; confirm

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of sanction¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of sanction¹

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

Example Sentences

The then-57-year-old Tyson ended nearly two decades of retirement from professional fighting last year when he fought the then-27-year-old Paul in a sanctioned bout.

From Los Angeles Times

Those results did not lead to a second referendum, with successive UK governments refusing to sanction a second vote.

From BBC

However, speaking to members of Congress, he insisted he was not calling for sanctions but instead wanted American companies and politicians to have "honest conversations" with the UK about free speech.

From BBC

Xi played the role of a global leader prepared to stand alongside two of the most sanctioned leaders in the world: Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un.

From BBC

It showcased where China is going: Xi playing the role of a global leader prepared to stand alongside two of the most sanctioned leaders in the world.

From BBC

Related Words

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

When To Use

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.