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sanction

SANGK-shun /ˈsæŋkʃən/

nounverbB2GRESATIELTSTOEFLUPSC

formallegalpolitical

As a noun: a penalty imposed on a state to force compliance, or official permission/approval. As a verb: to penalize, or to grant formal approval.

Crucially, sanction is a contronym (auto-antonym): it can mean either 'to penalize' or 'to approve'. In geopolitics, as a noun, it almost always refers to economic or diplomatic trade penalties.

The story behind the word. From Latin 'sanctio', stemming from 'sanctus' (sacred or holy). In Roman law, a 'sanctio' was the legal clause at the end of a law specifying the punishment for breaking it, making the law 'sacred' and binding. Over centuries, the word split into two opposite directions: approving something legally ('sacred sanction') or punishing a lawbreaker ('legal sanction').

Word relationships

embargo: An embargo is a specific trade ban, whereas a sanction can include broader financial restrictions, travel bans, or diplomatic penalties.
penalty: Penalty is a general term for punishment, while sanction has formal legal and diplomatic standing.

reward: A reward provides benefit for compliance, whereas a sanction penalizes non-compliance.
incentive: An incentive encourages positive action through gains rather than punishing violations.

Commonly confused with

containment: Sanctions are specific coercive penalties, whereas containment is an overarching strategic foreign policy framework.

Word family

sanctioned (adjective): Approved by authority, or subject to official penalties.
sanctioning (noun): The act of imposing penalties or granting approval.

Collocations

impose sanctions
lift sanctions
economic sanctions
sanction an agreement

Idioms & expressions

sanctions regime

Example sentences

"The UN Security Council voted to impose strict economic sanctions against the regime for violating human rights treaties." International Law
"The government refused to sanction the proposed trade treaty until border disputes were settled." Trade Policy

Memory hook

SANCTION can lift you up to SANCTUARY (approval) or knock you down with SANCTIONS (penalties). Penalty or permission.

When not to use

Be careful with context! Make sure it is clear whether you mean 'impose economic penalties' or 'give official authorization'.

Fun facts

Sanction is one of the English language's most famous 'contronyms'—words that can mean the exact opposite of themselves depending on context.