If someone in authority sanctions an action or practice, they officially approve of it and allow it to be done.

Sanctions are measures taken by countries to restrict trade and official contact with a country that has broken international law.

A sanction is a severe course of action which is intended to make people obey instructions, customs, or laws.

If a country or an authority sanctions another country or a person for doing something, it declares that the country or person is guilty of doing it and imposes sanctions on them.