sanction
To officially approve or authorize something
Examples
In a meeting
“The board will sanction the new policy at tomorrow's meeting.”
Over coffee
“My parents finally sanctioned my plan to travel abroad.”
Why this word
penalty
sanction is the formal term for official restrictive measures, while penalty is more general punishment
punishment
sanction implies institutional or governmental enforcement, while punishment is broader and less formal
ban
sanction encompasses various restrictive measures beyond simple prohibition, while ban is just forbidding
Usage tip
Use when formal or official permission is being granted, especially by authorities or governing bodies
Etymology
Latin: sanctio (decree), from sancire (to make sacred, ratify)
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Related words
mandate
An official order or requirement to do something; to officially require.
authorize
To give official permission or approval for something
endorse
To publicly declare support or approval for something
rescind
To officially cancel or revoke a decision, law, or agreement
invoke
To cite or appeal to something as authority or justification
enforce
To make sure a rule or law is obeyed