sanctionable

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

sanc•tion /ˈsæŋkʃən/   n. 

1. official approval from an authority:
   [uncountable] withheld official sanction for these acts.
2. [countable] something that gives binding force, as to an oath.
3. Law action by a state to force another state to follow rules, etc.:
   [countable] to impose sanctions against that country.

v. [~ + object]

4. to allow officially:
   No one will sanction such actions.
5. to penalize by sanction:
   sanctioning the country because of its invasion of a peaceful neighbor.

See -sanct-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

sanc•tion  (sangk′shən), n. 

1. authoritative permission or approval, as for an action.
2. something that serves to support an action, condition, etc.
3. something that gives binding force, as to an oath, rule of conduct, etc.
4. Law
   • a provision of a law enacting a penalty for disobedience or a reward for obedience.
   • the penalty or reward.
5. Law [Internat. Law.] action by one or more states toward another state calculated to force it to comply with legal obligations.

v.t. 

6. to authorize, approve, or allow:
   an expression now sanctioned by educated usage.
7. to ratify or confirm:
   to sanction a law.
8. to impose a sanction on;
   penalize, esp. by way of discipline.

• Latin sānctiōn- (stem of sānctiō), equivalent. to sānct(us) (past participle of sancīre to prescribe by law) + -iōn- -ion
• 1555–65

sanc′tion•a•ble, adj. 
sanc′tion•a′tive, adj. 
sanc′tion•er, n. 
sanc′tion•less, adj. 
Synonyms

• 6. permit.

Antonyms

• 1. disapproval.
• 6. disapprove.