Unsanctioned: meaning, definitions and examples
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unsanctioned
[ ΚnΛsΓ¦ΕkΚΙnd ]
official approval
The term 'unsanctioned' refers to actions or events that are not officially authorized or approved by a relevant authority. It is often used in legal, political, or organizational contexts to describe activities that occur without the necessary permissions or validations. Unsanctioned actions can lead to penalties or consequences, especially if they violate established rules or regulations. This term underscores the importance of obtaining proper consent in various situations.
Synonyms
forbidden, illicit, prohibited, unapproved, unauthorized
Examples of usage
- The unsanctioned protest drew a large crowd.
- Participants engaged in unsanctioned activities during the event.
- He faced legal repercussions for his unsanctioned actions.
- The team was penalized for their unsanctioned competition.
Etymology
The word 'unsanctioned' is formed by the prefix 'un-', which means 'not', combined with 'sanctioned', derived from the Latin 'sanctio', meaning 'a decree or law'. Originally, 'sanction' had a dual meaning, referring both to a penalty for disobeying a law and to the approval of an action. Over time, in English and various legal contexts, 'sanction' evolved to convey a more complex relationship between approval and punishment. The prefix 'un-' negates this official approval, creating a word that indicates an act done without permission. The use of 'unsanctioned' became more prominent in the 20th century, especially in discussions related to protests, sports, and political movements, highlighting the tension between authority and individual actions.
Word Frequency Rank
Ranking #35,377, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.