sanction

Pluralsanctions

Formssanctions, sanctioning, sanctioned

1. 1
   nounusually plural

   A punishment or pressure used to force a country or group to follow rules.

   Like a parent taking away TV time until the rules are followed.

   The new sanction stopped the country from selling oil abroad.

   Other nations added trade sanctions to force a change.

   Similarpenalty, embargo, restriction, punishment, ban

   Oppositereward, incentive

   Note
2. 2
   verbtransitive

   To give official permission or approval for something.

   Like a teacher signing a permission slip so the trip can happen.

   The school board sanctioned the new reading program.

   Officials must sanction the plan before building can begin.

   Similarauthorize, approve, permit, allow, endorse

   Oppositeforbid, prohibit, veto, ban

   Note
3. 3
   verbtransitive

   To punish a country by limiting trade or other dealings with it.

   Like a club banning a member who keeps breaking the rules.

   Several nations sanctioned the regime after the attacks.

   Leaders threatened to sanction any country that broke the deal.

   Similarpenalize, punish, embargo

   Oppositereward

   Note
4. 4
   noununcountable

   Official approval from someone in charge that makes an action allowed or valid.

   Like getting a stamp of approval that makes a ticket real.

   The project went ahead with the mayor's sanction.

   Without official sanction, the ceremony had no legal standing.

   Similarapproval, authorization, permission, consent, assent

   Oppositedisapproval, prohibition, veto

   Note
5. 5
   verbtransitive

   To officially approve a rule or agreement so it becomes valid.

   Like signing a contract to make a promise official.

   The assembly sanctioned the treaty last spring.

   Both nations must sanction the agreement before it takes effect.

   Similarratify, approve, endorse, confirm, validate

   Oppositereject, veto

6. 6
   nouncountable

   A law or a part of a law that lays out the reward or punishment for following or breaking it.

   Like the rule at the end of a game that says what happens if you cheat.

   The treaty included a sanction spelling out penalties for cheating.

   Lawmakers added a sanction to the bill to enforce the new limits.

   Similarprovision, clause, penalty

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