Sanction

approbation

(approval, by an authority, that makes something valid)

décret

(stipulation specifying the above)

sanction

(penalty or coercive measure)

validation

(approval, by an authority, that makes something valid)

approuver

(to give authorization or approval to)

autoriser

(to give authorization or approval to)

ratifier

(to give authorization or approval to)

sanctionner

(to penalize a state, especially for violating international law)