Sanction

Quick meaning: Sanction is a noun meaning An approval, by an authority, generally one that makes something valid.

Meaning

An approval, by an authority, generally one that makes something valid.

More Meanings

1. A law, treaty, or contract, or a clause within a law, treaty, or contract, specifying any of the above.
2. (transitive) To ratify; to make valid.
3. (transitive) To give official authorization or approval to; to countenance.
4. (transitive) To penalize (a state etc.) with sanctions.
5. (chiefly in the plural) A penalty, punishment, or some coercive measure, intended to ensure compliance; especially one adopted by several nations, or by an international body.

Example Sentences

The school's inaction further sanctions this misbehavior.

The United States enacted a new round of sanctions against the apartheid regime of South Africa.

The whalers had been operating in the contested waters off the island with sanction from the Japanese government.

Many of the most earnest Protestants were business men, to whom lending money at interest was essential. Consequently first Calvin, and then other Protestant divines, sanctioned interest.

Word Forms

• sanctions
• sanctioning
• sanctioned

Synonyms for sanction

Depending on context, synonyms include ban, boycott, estoppel, injunction, interdiction, embargo.

Antonyms for sanction

Common opposites include permission, endorsement, support, confirmation, allowance, backing.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include warrant, approve, endorsement, ok, authority, imprimatur.

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