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.
to approve
To officially approve, endorse, or confirm something; to give formal approval.
Der Vorstand muss den neuen Vertrag erst noch sanktionieren, bevor er in Kraft treten kann.
The board still has to approve the new contract before it can take effect.
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 punish
Bestrafen is the general expression for giving someone a punishment for misconduct. In this sense, sanktionieren refers to a formal punitive measure against a person, organization, or state. Sanktionieren is therefore often appropriate for institutional or political measures.
Der Verband sanktioniert den Verein wegen seines Regelverstoßes.
The association is sanctioning the club for violating the rules.
Der Verein bestraft den Spieler wegen seines Regelverstoßes.
The club is punishing the player for violating the rules.
