🇬🇧 Sanction meaning: English Vocabulary Flash Card
noun
A sanction is a strong and official punishment that many countries decide together to use against another country when it is breaking important international rules. Instead of using physical force, they might stop trading with that country, block its ships, or refuse to sell it important things, like fuel or machines. These punishments are called sanctions, and they are meant to pressure the country to behave better and follow the laws that keep the world safer and fairer.
Because of the sanction, the country had to cancel its giant fireworks show and instead hold a very quiet “please-like-us-again” meeting.
Thanks to the sanction, the country’s leader went from “We are powerful!” to “Does anyone want to trade carrots for fuel?” in two weeks.
After the sanction stopped trade, the greedy government suddenly cared a lot about “sharing” and “good behavior.”
The sanction made the country’s government realize that ignoring international law is fun only until your neighbors stop trading you chocolate.
After the sanction blocked its exports, the country’s economy felt like a phone on 1% battery with no charger in sight.
A coastal town watched a ship leave empty. The town had a sanction from many countries: no trade, no fish, no oil. A sanction closed the docks, a second sanction emptied the market, and a third sanction stopped payments. Each family felt the sanction in quiet kitchens. They put candles on tables. The town cried, then held hands and waited.
🧑🎓 CEFR Level: C1 Advanced
This word is at the C1 level, which means it’s part of advanced English. It’s used in sophisticated conversations, professional settings, and academic discussions. Words at this level help you express yourself fluently and precisely in nuanced situations.
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