n. 1 confirmation, ratification, secondment, authorization, legalization, legitimatization or legitimization, validation, licence, certification, approval, permission, imprimatur, seal or stamp (of approval), signet If you get the sanction of the rest of the members, then I shall agree 2 help, aid, encouragement, support, advocacy, backing, sponsorship, favour, countenance You will need the sanction of the entire committee in order to win a vote of confidence 3 agreement, concurrence, acceptance, affirmation, assent, acquiescence, compliance, approval, OK or okay He would never have proceeded with the invasion without the sanction of his generals 4 ban, penalty, punishment, retribution, discipline, retaliation, redress The government decided to introduce sanctions against the regime on account of their atrocious record on human rights
v. 5 confirm, ratify, second, authorize, legalize, legitimatize or legitimize, validate, license, certify, approve, permit, allow, notarize, vouchsafe, subscribe to, commission, consent to If the board sanctions the purchase of the company, it is then up to the shareholders to vote 6 support, encourage, advocate, back, sponsor, favour, countenance, help You know I cannot be seen to sanction your plan in preference to others