sanction

1. The root / stem sanct- has meaning of 'ordaining of something as sacred or inviolable', hence more broadly a 'decree, sanction'.
2. => 依法...(prescribe by law) => 宣布针对某种行为的法律。=> 因此如果某种行为是合法的，就会得到支持、鼓励、批准、认可(常与with，without连用)，不可数名词；如果某种行为是违法的，那么就会被制裁、处罚(常与against，on连用)，可数名词，常用复数。

sanction 批准，认可，制裁，处罚

sanct-,神圣的，-ion,名词后缀。即神圣的存在，封神，祝圣，引申正面词义批准，反面词义 处罚。

sanction (n.)

early 15c., "confirmation or enactment of a law," from Latin sanctionem (nominative sanctio) "act of decreeing or ordaining," also "decree, ordinance," noun of action from past participle stem of sancire "to decree, confirm, ratify, make sacred" (see saint (n.)). Originally especially of ecclesiastical decrees.

sanction (v.)

1778, "confirm by sanction, make valid or binding;" 1797 as "to permit authoritatively;" from sanction (n.). Seemingly contradictory meaning "impose a penalty on" is from 1956 but is rooted in an old legalistic sense of the noun. Related: Sanctioned; sanctioning.

1. The Security Council will consider taking future actions against sanction-busters.

安理会将考虑未来采取措施打击破坏制裁的人。

2. As an ultimate sanction, they can sell their shares.

作为最高的处罚，他们可以出售他们的股份。

3. He seemed to be preparing to sanction an increase in public borrowing.

他似乎正准备批准增加公共贷款。

4. The king could not enact laws without the sanction of Parliament.

未经议会批准，国王不能制定法律。

5. Prison is the best sanction against a crime like this.

为遏止这类罪行,监禁手段是上策.

【sanitation, sanction】
sanitation: n.公共卫生，环境卫生，卫生设备。
• Strict sanitation is used in businesses such as barber shops and restaurants. 在理发店和餐馆等营业场所执行严格的公共卫生制度。
sanction: n.认可，准许，批准。
• I need my parents' sanction to stay out late. 我晚回家需要得到父母的批准。

【approve, sanction, confirm】
这组词都有“批准”的意思，其区别是：
approve: 普通用词，常指正式的或官方的批准。
sanction: 语气最强，多指官方的同意或批准，是书面用词。
confirm: 强调按法律程序提请确认或批准。