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Behest vs Sanction - What's the difference?

behest | sanction | Related terms |

Behest is a related term of sanction.


As nouns the difference between behest and sanction

is that behest is a command, bidding; sometimes also, an authoritative request while sanction is an approval, by an authority, generally one that makes something valid.

As verbs the difference between behest and sanction

is that behest is (obsolete) to promise; vow while sanction is to ratify; to make valid.

behest

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A command, bidding; sometimes also, an authoritative request.
  • * 1977 , , Penguin Classics, p. 278:
    • Paul did not dare pronounce, let matters rest, / His master having given him no behest .
  • * Sir Walter Scott
    • to do his master's high behest
  • * 2007 , Thomas Pynchon, Against the Day :
    • And young Mr. Fleetwood Vibe was here at the behest of his father, Wall Street eminence Scarsdale Vibe, who was effectively bankrolling the Expedition.
  • * 2009 , “What a waste”, The Economist , 15 Oct 2009:
    • the House of Representatives will try to water down even this feeble effort at the behest of the unions whose members enjoy some of the most lavish policies.
  • * 2011 , Owen Gibson, The Guardian , 24 Mar 2011:
    • The Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, is to meet with the BBC director general, Mark Thompson, at the behest of the Premier League in a bid to resolve their long-running feud.
  • A vow; a promise.
  • * Paston
    • The time is come that I should send it her, if I keep the behest that I have made.

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (obsolete) To promise; vow.

    • Anagrams

    *

    sanction

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An approval, by an authority, generally one that makes something valid.
  • A penalty, or some coercive measure, intended to ensure compliance; especially one adopted by several nations, or by an international body.
  • A law, treaty, or contract, or a clause within a law, treaty, or contract, specifying the above.

    • Verb

    (en verb)
  • To ratify; to make valid.
  • To give official authorization or approval to; to countenance.
  • * 1946 , (Bertrand Russell), History of Western Philosophy , I.21:
    • Many of the most earnest Protestants were business men, to whom lending money at interest was essential. Consequently first Calvin, and then other Protestant divines, sanctioned interest.
  • To penalize (a State etc.) with sanctions.

    • Anagrams

    * English contranyms English refractory feminine rhymes ----