Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
✅ An approver ⚖️ An authority
sanctioner

sanctioner

7.3
An authority that approves actions or imposes penalties
  • noun
  • /ˈsæŋkʃənər/
  • Formal
translation icon : sancionador
  • As the official sanctioner of the tournament, she was responsible for ensuring all teams followed the rules.

Examples

  • The sanctioner issued a fine to the company for violating environmental regulations.

  • The committee appointed a sanctioner to oversee the implementation of the new policy.

  • But because of its treatment by the U.N. and EU and the ever-present danger of boycotters, divesters, and sanctioners, Jerusalem needs political.

    Academic text (2015)

Synonyms

official
vssanctioner
∞ 3.7

A person who works for a government or organization and has power to make and enforce rules

may both approve actions and impose penalties unlike general staff
enforcer
vssanctioner
10 4.3

A person who makes sure people follow rules or laws

also covers formal approval roles besides enforcing rules
punisher
vssanctioner
2 5.3

A person who makes someone suffer for doing something wrong

can both punish and officially approve acts in some cases
sentencer
vssanctioner
  • Specialized
1 8.1

A judge or other person who decides and announces a punishment in court

also gives formal approval sometimes instead of only sentencing
sanctifier
vssanctioner
  • Formal
8.5

A person or group who gives official approval to something

also can impose penalties as well as offering approval
judger
vssanctioner
  • Formal
8.0

A person who makes an official decision in a court or hearing

can both approve actions and impose penalties rather than only decide
condemner
vssanctioner
  • Formal
7.5

A person who says someone is guilty and should be punished

may also give official approval, not only declare guilt
interdictor
vssanctioner
  • Formal
9.7

An official who bans activities by law or religion

can approve actions as well, not only issue bans
ordinator
vssanctioner
  • Formal
9.5

A person or group that makes rules for others

can act by approving or punishing individuals, not just making laws
authorities
vssanctioner
2.8

Official people or groups that make rules and make sure others follow them

also includes giving approval as well as enforcement or penalties

How Authoritative

sovereign
33 6.8
government
∞ 1.0
sanctioner
  • Formal
7.3
regulator
  • Formal
211 4.6
official
∞ 2.3
agency
  • Formal
241 4.3

Surface Forms

sanctioner singular
sanctioners plural

Morphology

sanctioner = sanction (semi-transparent) = sanction + er

Regular agentive derivation from the verb 'sanction', but because 'sanction' can mean either 'to punish' or 'to authorize', the exact sense may not be predictable to learners.

Etymology

The word sanctioner comes from the root sanct- meaning 'holy', the same root in sanctuary and sanctify. Because laws were once treated as sacred, a sanctioner could both approve actions and impose penalties on rule-breakers, which is why the word can mean both an 'approver' and a 'punisher'.