SANCTION

/ˈsæŋkʃən/ ► audio Scrabble 10 Words With Friends 13

Definition

verb give sanction to. — synonyms: approve, O.K., okay
verb give authority or permission to.
verb give religious sanction to, such as through on oath.
noun formal and explicit approval. — synonyms: countenance, endorsement, indorsement, warrant, imprimatur
noun a mechanism of social control for enforcing a society's standards.
noun official permission or approval. — synonyms: authority, authorization, authorisation
noun the act of final authorization.

“The whalers had been operating in the contested waters off the island with sanction from the Japanese government.”
“The United States enacted a new round of sanctions against the apartheid regime of South Africa.”