sanction

noun sanc·tion \ ˈsaŋ(k)-shən \

Updated on: 15 Apr 2018

Definition of sanction

1 : a formal decree; especially : an ecclesiastical decree

2 a obsolete : a solemn agreement : oath

b : something that makes an oath binding

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

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

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

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

5 : 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

See sanction defined for English-language learners

See sanction defined for kids

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Examples of sanction in a Sentence

The country acted without the sanction of the other nations.
Their policy has legal sanction.

Recent Examples of sanction from the Web

But questions remain over how willing Kim might be to make serious compromises on his nuclear weapons program in return for security guarantees and the lifting of economic sanctions that are taking a big bite out of his country’s economy.

— Washington Post, "North Korea parliament to convene to approve national agenda," 11 Apr. 2018
In fact, Patterson believes players were misled by Ole Miss as far as the severity of the sanctions.

— mark heim, AL.com, "Ole Miss objects to Michigan transfer Shea Patterson's portrayal of Rebels," 10 Apr. 2018
Riyadh is counting on declining Venezuelan oil production, the likely imposition of new U.S. sanctions on Iran, and continued demand growth to absorb U.S. shale production.

— javier blas, Houston Chronicle, "Are Saudis pushing OPEC for $80 a barrel oil?," 10 Apr. 2018
The new round of sanctions jeopardizes those gains.

— matt phillips, New York Times, "Russian Markets Reel After U.S. Imposes New Sanctions," 9 Apr. 2018
This echoed what one U.S. official told NBC News ahead of Friday's sanctions.

— NBC News, "Sanctions for Russian oligarchs unlikely to seriously impact Putin, experts say," 7 Apr. 2018
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was asked about the possibility of these sanctions on Thursday.

— adam k. raymond, Daily Intelligencer, "U.S. Slaps Putin’s Oligarch Allies With New Sanctions," 6 Apr. 2018
In his talks with Xi, Kim may have discussed economic cooperation with China or requested a softening of enforcement of sanctions over the North’s nukes and missiles.

— Time, "North and South Korea Prepare to Hold a Historic Leaders Summit in April," 29 Mar. 2018
In his talks with Xi, Kim may have discussed economic cooperation with China or requested a softening of enforcement of sanctions over the North's nukes and missiles.

— lee jin-man and kim tong-hyung, chicagotribune.com, "North, South Korea begin high-level talks to set up April summit," 29 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sanction.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of sanction

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

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First Known Use: 15th century

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sanction Synonyms

sanction

verb

Definition of sanction

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

transitive verb

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

2 : 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

3 a : 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

b : 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

play \ˈsaŋ(k)-sh(ə-)nə-bəl\ adjective

See sanction defined for English-language learners

Examples of sanction in a Sentence

The government has sanctioned the use of force.
His actions were not sanctioned by his superiors.

Recent Examples of sanction from the Web

The Federal Trade Commission said Uber failed to disclose the leak last year as the agency investigated and sanctioned the company for a similar data breach that happened in 2014.

— todd shields, Bloomberg.com, "Uber's 2016 Breach Affected More Than 20 Million U.S. Users," 12 Apr. 2018
Plus, the Tour has installed a system for investigating and sanctioning parties for violations.

— steve dimeglio, USA TODAY, "PGA Tour supports legalized sports betting and its reasons may surprise you," 11 Apr. 2018
Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev ordered officials to draw up measures to support sanctioned companies in the energy, metals and arms sectors, Russian news agencies reported.

— NBC News, "Russian oligarchs lose up to $16 billion after Trump sanctions," 10 Apr. 2018
Drone Prix at Light City An officially sanctioned drone race (betcha didn’t even know there was such a thing) through a combination light installation-obstacle course-sculpture garden.

— chris kaltenbach, baltimoresun.com, "10 things you don't want to miss at Light City 2018," 10 Apr. 2018
Meanwhile, in Russia the ruble plunged and the Moex Russia Index of stocks tumbled the most in four years after the U.S. sanctioned some prominent Kremlin-connected billionaires and their companies.

— eric j. weiner, Houston Chronicle, "Market rally falters late amid political risks," 9 Apr. 2018
Bogdanov is listed as the director general and vice chairman of the board of directors of Surgutneftegaz, an oil company first sanctioned in September 2014.

— nathan hodge, CNN, "The Russia sanctions list: Who's on the new US blacklist," 6 Apr. 2018
Officials said the goal was to show that those who have benefited financially from Russian President Vladimir Putin’s position of power are fair game for U.S. punishments, noting that many of those being sanctioned are closely tied to Putin himself.

— josh lederman, BostonGlobe.com, "US punishes Russian oligarchs, officials with more sanctions," 6 Apr. 2018
Indeed, some analysts argue that sanctioning Russian business executives actually helps the Kremlin control them.

— adam taylor, Washington Post, "Is Russia all out of oligarchs? It says it is.," 6 Apr. 2018

First Known Use of sanction

1778

sanction Synonyms

Synonyms

accredit, approve, authorize, clear, confirm, finalize, formalize, OK (or okay), ratify, warrant;

Antonyms

decline, deny, disallow, disapprove, negative, reject, turn down, veto;

Near Antonyms

ban, enjoin, forbid, illegalize, interdict, prohibit, proscribe;

disregard, ignore, neglect, overlook;

rebuff, rebut, refuse, spurn;

Related Words

accept, acknowledge, affirm;

certify, endorse (also indorse), validate;

bless, canonize, sanctify;

initial, rubber-stamp, sign, sign off (on);

allow, enable, legalize, license (also licence), pass, permit;

reapprove;

Synonym Discussion of 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

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

SANCTION Defined for English Language Learners

sanction

noun

Definition of sanction for English Language Learners

: an action that is taken or an order that is given to force a country to obey international laws by limiting or stopping trade with that country, by not allowing economic aid for that country, etc.
: official permission or approval

sanction

verb

Definition of sanction for English Language Learners

: to officially accept or allow (something)

SANCTION Defined for Kids

sanction

noun sanc·tion \ ˈsaŋk-shən \

Definition of sanction for Students

1 : official approval or permission

The soldiers' conduct did not have the king's sanction.

2 : an action (as the ending of financial aid) taken by one or more nations to make another nation comply with a law or rule

sanction

verb

Definition of sanction for Students

sanctioned; sanctioning

: to officially accept or allow

The coaches sanctioned the new rule.

Law Dictionary

sanction

noun sanc·tion \ ˈsaŋk-shən \

legal Definition of sanction

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

a sanction for contempt

2 : explicit or official approval

3 : 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