Sanctioned: meaning, definitions and examples

🚫
Add to dictionary

sanctioned

 

[ ˈsæŋkʃənd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

official approval

To sanction means to give official permission or approval for an action. It can also mean to impose a penalty for a specific action. The context in which it is often used involves legal or authoritative settings, where one body grants permission or enforces rules.

Synonyms

approve, authorize, endorse, permit.

Examples of usage

  • The board sanctioned the new policy.
  • The government sanctioned the project after reviewing its benefits.
  • The organization was sanctioned for violating the regulations.
Context #2 | Verb

penalty imposed

Sanction can also mean to impose a penalty or punishment for violating rules or regulations. This usage often appears in legal or governmental contexts, where entities face consequences for prohibited actions.

Synonyms

discipline, fine, penalize, punish.

Examples of usage

  • The country was sanctioned for its aggressive behavior.
  • They faced severe sanctions for breaking environmental laws.
  • The athlete was sanctioned for using performance-enhancing drugs.

Translations

Translations of the word "sanctioned" in other languages:

🇵🇹 sancionado

🇮🇳 प्रतिबंधित

🇩🇪 sanktioniert

🇮🇩 dikenakan sanksi

🇺🇦 санкційований

🇵🇱 nałożony

🇯🇵 制裁された

🇫🇷 sanctionné

🇪🇸 sancionado

🇹🇷 yaptırım uygulanan

🇰🇷 제재된

🇸🇦 مفروض عليه عقوبات

🇨🇿 sankcionovaný

🇸🇰 sankcionovaný

🇨🇳 受到制裁的

🇸🇮 sankcioniran

🇮🇸 sanktionaður

🇰🇿 жазаға ұшыраған

🇬🇪 სანქცირებული

🇦🇿 sanksiya tətbiq olunan

🇲🇽 sancionado

Etymology

The word 'sanction' originates from the Latin 'sanctio,' which means 'to make sacred' or 'to decree.' Over time, its usage evolved in various languages, including French, before being adopted into English in the 16th century. Initially, it referred to religious penalties imposed by ecclesiastical authorities. As the word developed, it came to encompass both the meaning of giving official approval and the imposition of penalties for violations. This duality continues to create some confusion in contemporary usage, as the context often dictates whether it refers to approval or punishment. In the modern world, sanctions play a significant role in international relations, with countries resorting to economic or diplomatic sanctions against one another to enforce compliance with laws or treaties.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,404 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.