Sanction, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sanctioned; p. pr. & vb. n. Sanctioning.]
To give sanction to; to ratify; to confirm; to approve. Would have counseled, or even sanctioned, such perilous experiments. De Quincey.
Syn. -- To ratify; confirm; authorize; countenance.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Sanction, n.
1. 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 authority to it; confirmation; approbation. The strictest professors of reason have added the sanction of their testimony. I. Watts.
2. Anything done or said to enforce the will, law, or authority of another; as, legal sanctions.
Syn. -- Ratification; authorization; authoruty; countenance; support.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for sanction; he lists it under abet, allow, confirm.
Where he writes about it:
We allow a child's innocent intrusion; we concede a right; grant a request; consent to a sale of property; permit an inspection of accounts; sanction a marriage; tolerate the rudeness of a well-meaning servant; submit to a surgical operation; yield to a demand or necessity against our wish or will, or yield something under compulsion; as, the sheriff yielded the keys at the muzzle of a revolver, and allowed the mob to enter. — from allow