A sanction may be either a permission or a restriction, depending upon context, as the word is an

auto-antonym An auto-antonym or autantonym, also called a contronym or antagonym among other terms, is a word with multiple meanings (senses) of which one is the reverse of another. For example, the word '' cleave'' can mean "to cut apart" or "to bind togethe ...

. Examples of sanctions include:

Government and law

Sanctions (law) Sanctions, in law and legal definition, are penalties or other means of enforcement used to provide incentives for obedience with the law, or with rules and regulations. Criminal sanctions can take the form of serious punishment, such as corporal ...

, penalties imposed by courts *

Economic sanctions Economic sanctions are commercial and financial penalties applied by one or more countries against a targeted self-governing state, group, or individual. Economic sanctions are not necessarily imposed because of economic circumstances—they may ...

, typically a ban on trade, possibly limited to certain sectors (such as armaments), or with certain exceptions (such as food and medicine), e.g., **

Sanctions against Iran There have been a number of sanctions against Iran imposed by a number of countries, especially the United States, and international entities. Iran was the most sanctioned country in the world until it was surpassed by Russia following its inva ...

Sanctions against North Korea A number of countries and international bodies have imposed sanctions against North Korea. Currently, many sanctions are concerned with North Korea's nuclear weapons program and were imposed after its first nuclear test in 2006. The United St ...

Sanctions against Russia Sanctions, economic or international, that have been imposed on Russia include: * International sanctions during the Russo-Ukrainian War (2014–) ** Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, US legislation (2017) ** International sanc ...

International sanctions International sanctions are political and economic decisions that are part of diplomatic efforts by countries, multilateral or regional organizations against states or organizations either to protect national security interests, or to protect in ...

, coercive measures adopted by a country or a group of countries against another state or individual(s) in order to elicit a change in their behavior **

International sanctions during the Russo-Ukrainian War International sanctions have been imposed against Russia and Crimea during the Russo-Ukrainian War by a large number of countries, including the United States, Canada, the European Union, and international organisations following the Russia ...

Pragmatic sanction A pragmatic sanction is a sovereign's solemn decree on a matter of primary importance and has the force of fundamental law. In the late history of the Holy Roman Empire, it referred more specifically to an edict issued by the Emperor. When used ...

, historically, a sovereign's solemn decree which addresses a matter of primary importance and which has the force of fundamental law

Arts, entertainment, and media

*''

The Eiger Sanction ''The Eiger Sanction'' is a 1972 thriller novel by Trevanian, the pen name of Rodney William Whitaker. The story is about a classical art professor and collector who doubles as a professional assassin, and who is coerced out of retirement to ave ...

'', a 1972 thriller novel by Trevanian, the pen name of Rodney William Whitaker ** ''The Eiger Sanction'' (film), the 1975 film adaptation of Trevanian's novel **''

The Loo Sanction ''The Loo Sanction'' is a 1973 sequel novel to ''The Eiger Sanction'' written by Trevanian. Plot In London, England, Jonathan Hemlock is blackmailed into performing another "sanction", a top-secret political assassination. Critical reception So ...

'', Trevanian's 1973 sequel to ''The Eiger Sanction'' **Account Sanctions, a punishment in Star Wars: The Old Republic.

Other uses

* Sanctions, a mechanism of social control

Government and law

Arts, entertainment, and media

Other uses

See also