Sanction vs. Approval — What's the Difference?

Authoritative permission or approval that makes a course of action valid.

The act or an instance of approving.

Support or encouragement, as from public opinion or established custom.

An official approbation; a sanction.

A consideration, influence, or principle that dictates an ethical choice.

Favorable regard; commendation.

The penalty for noncompliance with a law or legal order.

An expression granting permission; an indication of agreement with a proposal; an acknowledgement that a person, thing, or event meets requirements.

A penalty, specified or in the form of moral pressure, that acts to ensure compliance with a social standard or norm.

An expression of favorable acceptance and encouragement; a compliment that also condones.

A coercive measure adopted usually by several nations acting together against a nation violating international law.

Something mailed by a seller to a collector to match their stated interests; the collector can approve of or return the item.

To give official authorization or approval to

Approbation; sanction.

To encourage or tolerate by indicating approval

The formal act of giving approval;

To penalize, as for violating a moral principle or international law

A feeling of liking something or someone good;

An approval, by an authority, generally one that makes something valid.

Acceptance as satisfactory;

A penalty, punishment, or some coercive measure, intended to ensure compliance; especially one adopted by several nations, or by an international body.

A message expressing a favorable opinion;

A law, treaty, or contract, or a clause within a law, treaty, or contract, specifying any of the above.

(transitive) To ratify; to make valid.

(transitive) To give official authorization or approval to; to countenance.

(transitive) To penalize (a state etc.) with sanctions.

Solemn or ceremonious ratification; an official act of a superior by which he ratifies and gives validity to the act of some other person or body; establishment or furtherance of anything by giving authority to it; confirmation; approbation.

Anything done or said to enforce the will, law, or authority of another; as, legal sanctions.

To give sanction to; to ratify; to confirm; to approve.

Formal and explicit approval;

A mechanism of social control for enforcing a society's standards

Official permission or approval;

The act of final authorization;

Give sanction to;

Give authority or permission to

Give religious sanction to, such as through on oath;