1. official penalties or restrictions imposed by one country or organization against another to force compliance or express disapproval
Usage: usually plural
2. official permission or approval for an action
Usage: formal

1. to give official permission or approval to something
Usage: formal
2. to impose official penalties or restrictions on a country or organization

Examples

• The United Nations imposed economic sanctions on the country.
• Trade sanctions were lifted after the peace agreement.
• The committee refused to sanction the proposed changes.
• The government sanctioned the new trade deal.
• International sanctions affected the nation’s economy.
• The board will sanction the merger next week.
• Military sanctions included an arms embargo.