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sanction

SANK-shun /ˈsæŋk.ʃən/

nounverbC1GRESATGMAT

formal

An official penalty for disobeying a rule or law; OR official approval/permission for an action.

A contronym (a word that can mean its own opposite). In discipline contexts, it usually means penalty.

The story behind the word. Derived from Latin sanctio ('decree' or 'law'), from sancire ('to make sacred'). In English, it developed a contronymic nature: to sanction can mean to enact an official penalty (a decree) or to approve (making sacred).

Word relationships

penalty: 'Penalty' is specific punishment for a rule break; 'sanction' can also refer to legal authorization.
authorization: Represents the positive sense of 'sanction' (official consent).

prohibition: 'Prohibition' forbids an action, opposing the 'approval' sense of sanction.
reward: 'Reward' compensates positive acts, opposing the 'penalty' sense of sanction.

Commonly confused with

sanctuary: 'Sanctuary' is a place of refuge or safety; 'sanction' is a formal penalty or authorization.

Word family

sanctioned (adjective): Officially approved or authorized.
unsanctioned (adjective): Lacking official authorization.

Collocations

impose sanctions
economic sanctions
official sanction
sanction an activity

Example sentences

"The United Nations voted to impose strict trade sanctions against the rogue nation." International Relations
"The committee refused to sanction any athletic event that lacked full medical supervision." Institutional Rules

Memory hook

Sanction: can mean SANK (punished) or SAFE (approved). Penalty or permission — context decides.

When not to use

Be cautious in context so readers understand whether penalty or approval is meant.

Fun facts

Sanction is one of English's most famous 'Janus words' (words with two opposite meanings), named after the two-faced Roman god Janus.