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Sanction vs Bestow - What's the difference?

sanction | bestow |

In lang=en terms the difference between sanction and bestow

is that sanction is to penalize (a state etc) with sanctions while bestow is to apply; make use of; use; employ.

As verbs the difference between sanction and bestow

is that sanction is to ratify; to make valid while bestow is to lay up in store; deposit for safe keeping; stow; place.

As a noun sanction

is an approval, by an authority, generally one that makes something valid.

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.
  • bestow

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To lay up in store; deposit for safe keeping; stow; place.
  • * 1611 , King James Bible, Luke 12:17:
  • And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits.
  • * 1977 , ", HarperCollins, page 358:
  • Of the Three Rings that the Elves had preserved unsullied no open word was ever spoken among the Wise, and few even of the Eldar knew where they were bestowed .
  • To lodge, or find quarters for; provide with accommodation.
  • * 1838 , Ben Jonson, The works of Ben Jonson :
  • Well, my masters, I'll leave him with you; now I see him bestowed , I'll go look for my goods, and Numps.
  • To dispose of.
  • * 1810 , Robert Dodsley, Sir Walter Scott, The Ancient British drama :
  • Here are blank warrants of all dispositions; give me but the name and nature of your malefactor, and I'll bestow him according to his merits.
  • To give; confer; impart gratuitously; present something to someone as a gift or honour.
  • Medals were bestowed on the winning team.
  • * 2008 , , Userfriendly.org , “ The Large Hadron Collider Game
  • CERN bestows slush fund on the LHC. Take all pennies from the CERN space.
  • * 1831 , (Mary Shelley),
  • Soft tears again bedewed my cheeks, and I even raised my humid eyes with thankfulness towards the blessed sun which bestowed such joy upon me.
  • To give in marriage.
  • To apply; make use of; use; employ.
  • * 1887 , John Marston, Arthur Henry Bullen, The Works of John Marston :
  • [...] I determine to bestow Some time in learning languages abroad; [...]
  • (obsolete) To behave or deport.
  • Derived terms

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