to sanction
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to sanction
To impose a punitive measure (sanction) on a state, organization, or person because laws or rules have been violated.
Die internationale Gemeinschaft beschloss, das Regime für die Menschenrechtsverletzungen zu sanktionieren.
The international community decided to sanction the regime for the human rights violations.
This word is an auto-antonym; it can mean its own opposite. Depending on the context, it means either 'bestrafen' (to punish, negative) or 'offiziell genehmigen' (to officially approve, positive). The context makes the meaning clear.
Das Gremium weigerte sich, den umstrittenen Plan zu sanktionieren.
The committee refused to approve the controversial plan.
The verb 'sanktionieren' is derived from the noun 'die Sanktion' (the sanction). The ending '-ieren' is a typical way to form verbs from nouns, often loanwords. It is an inseparable verb.
Die Sanktionen wurden von mehreren Ländern unterstützt.
The sanctions were supported by several countries.
The meaning 'bestrafen' (to punish) is mostly used in political or legal contexts. You sanction a country, an organization, or a specific behavior in response to a rule violation. The reason is often given with 'für' (for) or 'wegen' (because of).
Das Unternehmen wurde für die Missachtung der Umweltauflagen sanktioniert.
The company was sanctioned for disregarding the environmental regulations.
The meaning 'genehmigen' (to approve) is rarer and belongs to a very formal, bureaucratic style. Here, a plan, contract, or decision is confirmed by an official authority and thereby made valid.
Der Aufsichtsrat muss die Ausgaben erst noch sanktionieren.
The supervisory board still has to approve the expenses.
to confirm
'bestätigen' and 'sanktionieren' can both express approval in formal situations. In this meaning, 'sanktionieren' means that something is officially approved or endorsed. 'bestätigen' is more general and is also used for appointments, messages, or information. Important: 'sanktionieren' also has another meaning, namely to impose a punishment or measure against someone. That is why the word can easily be misunderstood. If you only want to say that an appointment or a piece of information is correct, 'bestätigen' is safer and more natural.
Der Stadtrat sanktioniert den neuen Plan nach einer kurzen Beratung.
The city council approves the new plan after a brief discussion.
Zur Sicherheit bestätigt die Schule den Termin noch einmal schriftlich.
To be on the safe side, the school confirms the appointment again in writing.