sanction

1. 1

   An approval, by an authority, generally one that makes something valid.countableuncountable

   • The whalers had been operating in the contested waters off the island with sanction from the Japanese government.
2. 2

   A penalty, punishment, or some coercive measure, intended to ensure compliance; especially one adopted by several nations, or by an international body.countablein-pluraluncountable

   • The United States enacted a new round of sanctions against the apartheid regime of South Africa.
3. 3

   A law, treaty, or contract, or a clause within a law, treaty, or contract, specifying any of the above.countableuncountable

syn. ban · boycott · estoppel · injunction · interdiction · embargo · penalties · proscription · sanction · taboo

ant. permission · endorsement · support · confirmation · allowance · backing

1. 1

   To ratify; to make valid.transitive

2. 2

   To give official authorization or approval to; to countenance.transitive

   • The school's inaction further sanctions this misbehavior.
3. 3

   To penalize (a state etc.) with sanctions.transitive

   • The generative AI chatbot, ChatGPT, can be duped into providing detailed advice on how to commit crimes — ranging from money laundering to the export of weapons to sanctioned countries — a tech startup found.