sanction

1 of 2

noun

sanc·tion ˈsaŋ(k)-shən

Synonyms of sanction next

: a formal decree

especially : an ecclesiastical decree

obsolete : a solemn agreement : oath

: something that makes an oath binding

: the detriment, loss of reward, or coercive intervention annexed to a violation of a law as a means of enforcing the law

: a consideration, principle, or influence (as of conscience) that impels to moral action or determines moral judgment

: a mechanism of social control for enforcing a society's standards

: explicit or official approval, permission, or ratification : approbation

: an economic or military coercive measure adopted usually by several nations in concert for forcing a nation violating international law to desist or yield to adjudication

sanction

2 of 2

verb

sanctioned; sanctioning ˈsaŋ(k)-sh(ə-)niŋ

transitive verb

: to make valid or binding usually by a formal procedure (such as ratification)

: to give effective or authoritative approval or consent to

… such characters … look, talk, and act in ways sanctioned by society and novelistic tradition …—

Lawrence Chua

: to attach a sanction or penalty to the violation of (a right, obligation, or command)

… the status, procedures, rights, and duties of members are carefully defined by rules that are sanctioned by fines should they be contravened by members.—

Malcolm Ruel

: to impose a sanction or penalty upon

… a Long Island brokerage firm that, at the time, had serious Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC fraud charges pending against it and has since been heavily fined and sanctioned.—

Molly Ivins

sanctionable

ˈsaŋ(k)-sh(ə-)nə-bəl

adjective

Did you know?

Sanction Has Legal Origins

The noun sanction, meaning "authoritative approval" or "a coercive measure," entered English in the 15th century, and originally referred to a formal decree or law, especially an ecclesiastical decree. (The Latin sancire, meaning "to make holy," is an ancestor.) The noun's meaning then extended in different directions. By the end of the 17th century, it could refer to both a means of enforcing a law (a sense that in the 20th century we began using especially for economic penalties against nations violating international law) and the process of formally approving or ratifying a law. When the verb sanction appeared in the 18th century, it had to do with ratifying laws as well, but it soon acquired an additional, looser sense: "to approve."

Choose the Right Synonym for sanction

approve, endorse, sanction, accredit, certify mean to have or express a favorable opinion of.

approve often implies no more than this but may suggest considerable esteem or admiration.

the parents approve of the marriage

endorse suggests an explicit statement of support.

publicly endorsed her for Senator

sanction implies both approval and authorization.

the President sanctioned covert operations

accredit and certify usually imply official endorsement attesting to conformity to set standards.

the board voted to accredit the college

must be certified to teach

Examples of sanction in a Sentence

Noun The country acted without the sanction of the other nations. Their policy has legal sanction. Verb The government has sanctioned the use of force. His actions were not sanctioned by his superiors.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The Biden administration has imposed trade restrictions on Chinese companies for violating US sanctions. —

Nectar Gan, CNN, 8 Apr. 2024 On the war in Ukraine, Yellen warned that any banks that facilitate the sale of military or dual-use goods to Russia could face U.S. sanctions. —

Fatima Hussein and Ken Moritsugu, Quartz, 8 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sanction

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sanction.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin sanction-, sanctio, from sancire to make holy — more at sacred

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1778, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of sanction was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Articles Related to sanction

stack of papers with sanctions stamped on it

The Words of the Week - Feb. 23

Dictionary lookups from politics, Alabama, and United States history

illustration of gaslighting two large hands twirl string around a the head of a figure in silhouette

Word of the Year 2022

Our Word of the Year 'gaslighting,' plus 8 more

Words of the Week - Feb. 25

The words that defined the week ending February 25th, 2022

Cite this Entry

Style

“Sanction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sanction. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

sanction

1 of 2 noun

sanc·tion ˈsaŋ(k)-shən

: an action taken to enforce a law or rule

: official permission or approval

: a measure used to punish or prevent action

sanction

2 of 2 verb

sanctioned; sanctioning

-sh(ə-)niŋ

: to officially accept or allow

: to impose a penalty upon

Legal Definition

sanction

1 of 2 noun

sanc·tion ˈsaŋk-shən

: a punitive or coercive measure or action that results from failure to comply with a law, rule, or order

a sanction for contempt

: explicit or official approval

: an economic or military coercive measure adopted usually by several nations in concert for forcing a nation violating international law to desist or yield to adjudication

sanction

2 of 2 transitive verb

: to give official approval or consent to : ratify

: to impose a sanction on

sanctioned the lawyer for professional misconduct

Last Updated: 12 Apr 2024 - Updated example sentences

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

underwhelm

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

sanction

noun

verb

Did you know?

Synonyms

Examples of sanction in a Sentence

Word History

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near sanction

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Legal Definition