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

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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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Noun

Related article House passes International Criminal Court sanctions bill after prosecutor seeks Netanyahu warrant The warrants mark a historic first, making Netanyahu the first Israeli leader summoned by an international court for alleged actions against Palestinians in the 76-year conflict. —

Abbas Al Lawati, CNN, 22 Nov. 2024 In 2023, for example, a lawyer faced sanctions for submitting a legal brief with fake citations made up by ChatGPT. —

Emily Dreibelbis Forlini, PCMAG, 11 Nov. 2024

Verb

The company is already sanctioned by Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. —

Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 21 Nov. 2024 Both China and Brazil have sought to mediate in the Ukraine war while declining to sanction fellow BRICS member Russia for its invasion. —

Greg McKenna, Fortune Asia, 20 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sanction

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

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Sanction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sanction. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

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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: 26 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

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sanction

noun

verb

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Synonyms

Examples of sanction in a Sentence

Word History

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Dictionary Entries Near sanction

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Kids Definition

Legal Definition