(~s, ~ing, ~ed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
If someone in authority ~s an action or practice, they officially approve of it and allow it to be done.
He may now be ready to ~ the use of force...
VERB: V n
•
Sanction is also a noun.
The king could not enact laws without the ~ of Parliament.
= approval
N-UNCOUNT: with supp
2.
Sanctions are measures taken by countries to restrict trade and official contact with a country that has broken international law.
The continued abuse of human rights has now led the United States to impose ~s against the regime...
N-PLURAL: oft N against/on n
3.
A ~ is a severe course of action which is intended to make people obey instructions, customs, or laws.
As an ultimate ~, they can sell their shares.
N-COUNT
4.
If a country or an authority ~s another country or a person for doing something, it declares that the country or person is guilty of doing it and imposes ~s on them.
...their failure to ~ Japan for butchering whales in violation of international conservation treaties.
VERB: V n