Refine this word faster
Sanction
//ˈsæŋkʃən// noun, verb
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An approval, by an authority, generally one that makes something valid. countable, uncountable
"The whalers had been operating in the contested waters off the island with sanction from the Japanese government."
- 2 a mechanism of social control for enforcing a society's standards wordnet
- 3 A penalty, punishment, or some coercive measure, intended to ensure compliance; especially one adopted by several nations, or by an international body. countable, in-plural, uncountable
"The United States enacted a new round of sanctions against the apartheid regime of South Africa."
- 4 the act of final authorization wordnet
- 5 A law, treaty, or contract, or a clause within a law, treaty, or contract, specifying any of the above. countable, uncountable
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 official permission or approval wordnet
- 7 formal and explicit approval wordnet
Verb
- 1 To ratify; to make valid. transitive
- 2 give sanction to wordnet
- 3 To give official authorization or approval to; to countenance. transitive
"The school's inaction further sanctions this misbehavior."
- 4 give religious sanction to, such as through an oath wordnet
- 5 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."
Show 1 more definition
- 6 give authority or permission to wordnet
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle French sanction, from Latin sānctiō.
Etymology 2
From Middle French sanction, from Latin sānctiō.
See also for "sanction"
Next best steps
Mini challenge
Unscramble this word: sanction