sanction
- 01 C1 Advanced
n.a punishment, usually an economic one, that one or more countries use to force another country to obey international law.
n.a coercive measure, typically economic or diplomatic, adopted by one or more nations against another to elicit compliance with international law.
Simple“The United Nations voted to lift the trade sanctions after the peace treaty was signed.”
In context“The international community imposed stringent economic sanctions on the regime in an effort to curtail its nuclear enrichment programme.”
UsageUsually used in the plural when referring to international trade restrictions.
Synonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
n.official permission or approval for an action.
n.authoritative permission or approval that makes a course of action valid or acceptable.
Simple“The new research project cannot begin without the official sanction of the university board.”
In context“The expedition proceeded with the full sanction of the government, ensuring they had access to restricted colonial archives.”
UsageOften used in the singular in formal administrative contexts.
SynonymsAntonyms - 03 C1 Advanced
v.to give official permission for something to happen.
v.to give official authorization or approval to an action or practice.
Simple“The city council refused to sanction the construction of the new shopping mall.”
In context“The governing body declined to sanction the use of the experimental drug until further clinical trials were completed.”
UsageThis is a transitive verb taking a direct object, often an action or a plan.
- 04 C1 Advanced
v.to punish a person or a country for breaking a rule.
v.to impose a penalty on an entity or to subject a state to coercive measures.
Simple“The sports federation will sanction any athlete who is caught using banned substances.”
In context“The committee has the power to sanction members who violate the professional code of ethics through fines or suspension.”
UsageCommonly used in legal, sporting, and diplomatic contexts.
Usage sanctioned individuals
“Like France , the UK has also imposed sanctions on far-right Israeli cabinet members Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.”
“If parliament imposes sanctions for failing to declare the gifts, Farage may be suspended from the House of Commons and potentially face a second byelection.”
From Middle French sanction, from Latin sānctiō.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.