1
Core meaning
Official authorization or approval; also, a penalty imposed to enforce a rule or influence conduct.
Example
The project cannot proceed without government sanction.
sanction
/ˈsæŋkʃən/ · SANK-shunnoun
Official authorization or approval; also, a penalty imposed to enforce a rule or influence conduct.
Use sanction to express this relationship precisely: official authorization or approval; also, a penalty imposed to enforce a rule or influence conduct.
What sanction Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Common noun frame
Use this noun in a complete noun phrase, adding the complement that identifies what it refers to when needed.
Example
The council imposed a financial sanction for repeated violations.
3
Analytical distinction
Choose it when this exact concept matters; a related term may describe its cause, evidence, or opposite instead.
Example
Trade sanctions were intended to pressure the regime.
Use sanction Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The project cannot proceed without government sanction.
The council imposed a financial sanction for repeated violations.
Trade sanctions were intended to pressure the regime.
Precision Matters
Sanction overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
sanction
vs.Means official authorization or approval; also, a penalty imposed to enforce a rule or influence conduct.
censure
Means strong formal criticism or official disapproval.
sanction
vs.Means official authorization or approval; also, a penalty imposed to enforce a rule or influence conduct.
acclaim
Means enthusiastic and public praise.
sanction
vs.Means official authorization or approval; also, a penalty imposed to enforce a rule or influence conduct.
waive
Means to voluntarily give up a right, claim, requirement, or privilege.
sanction
vs.Means official authorization or approval; also, a penalty imposed to enforce a rule or influence conduct.
mandatory
Means required by a rule, law, or authority; not optional.
Test sanction in Context
Here the noun means an official penalty for misconduct.
1
The regulator imposed a substantial financial ___ after the company ignored repeated warnings.