English · Work & Business
sanction
/ˈsæŋk.ʃən/
[/ˈsæŋk.ʃən/]
penalty or official approval
Advancednoun
Definition
An official penalty against a country or group, or, with the opposite meaning, official permission.
Example
Several countries placed trade sanctions on the nation to pressure it into changing its policies.
Several countries placed trade sanctions on the nation to pressure it into changing its policies.
Etymology
From Latin 'sanctio' (a decree, ordinance), from 'sancire' (to make sacred, ratify).
How & Where It’s Used
A contronym: it can mean both to punish and to approve.