26984 words

sanctions

13 definitions • 22 examples
1
an official order, such as the stopping of trade, that is taken against a country in order to make it obey international law:

Examples:

Many nations have imposed sanctions on the country because of its attacks on its own people.
Trade/economic sanctions will only be lifted (= stopped) when the aggressor nation withdraws its troops.
2
a strong action taken in order to make people obey a law or rule, or a punishment given when they do not obey:

Examples:

Without realistic sanctions, some teachers have difficulty keeping order in the classroom.
3

Examples:

They tried to get official sanction for the plans.
4
to formally give permission for something:

Examples:

5
to punish someone for something, especially officially:
6

Examples:

To be just, a government must have the sanction of the governed.
7
an official action taken against a government to force it to behave in a particular way or as punishment for not doing so:

Examples:

trade/economic sanctions
8
to formally permit something:

Examples:

9
an official order to stop or limit trade or communication with a country in order to make it obey international law:

Examples:

sanctions on sth This averted the threat of American sanctions on Japanese car exports.
impose sanctions against/on sb The UN Security Council imposed sanctions on the country to curb its nuclear program.
drop/ease/lift sanctions
apply/enforce sanctions
international sanctions
10
a punishment given when someone does not obey a rule or a law:

Examples:

criminal/legal sanctions
The State Department needs to determine how it will apply sanctions.
He could face sanctions if a judge concludes he violated the terms of his probation.
11

Examples:

sanction for sth Agricultural companies in the area cannot get official sanction for logging.
12
to formally give permission for something:

Examples:

sanction a bid/deal The directors would only sanction an €18 million bid.
13
to punish someone for not obeying a law or rule:

Examples:

sanction sb for (doing) sth The state is threatening to sanction employers for hiring illegal workers.

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