definitive sanction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "definitive sanction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where a final or conclusive penalty or punishment is being discussed, often in legal or formal settings. Example: "The committee decided that a definitive sanction was necessary to address the repeated violations of the rules."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not definitive, just definite.

The New York Times

Last month, Iranian lawyers filed a case before the court that called on its judges to order the US to suspend its sanctions pending a definitive ruling - something that could take years.

BBC

One of the most definitive studies on the effectiveness of sanctions -- covering the period from 1915 to 2006 -- has shown that comprehensive sanctions are effective at best 30percentt of the time, and that the more comprehensive the level of sanctions, the lower their degree of success.

HuffPost

Of course, Milton is not anywhere sanctioning mass slaughter, but he is insisting that there's never anything in the world like definitive proof of God's authorization of anything.

Yale University

American fast-food chains have been saying, however, that they have no definitive plans to enter the Iranian market, even after the lifting of sanctions.

The New York Times

SEOUL, South Korea North Koreaea said Tuesday that if the United States pushed for United Nations sanctions against it after its planned satellite launching, that would spell a definitive end to the stalled six-nation talks on ending its nuclear weapons program.

The New York Times

Even hawkish Mr Kirk says that he does not expect his sanctions bill to put to a vote before June 30th, the deadline for a detailed, definitive agreement with Iran.

The Economist

Charles V. Bremer was very definitive.

The New York Times

But none seemed definitive.

The Washington Post

Dubrule was definitive.

The New Yorker

No explanation is definitive.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "definitive sanction" in situations where a clear and irreversible action is being taken as a result of a violation or breach of rules. It is best suited for formal or legal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "definitive sanction" for minor or easily reversible situations. This phrase implies a significant and lasting impact, so ensure the severity of the sanction matches the gravity of the offense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "definitive sanction" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "definitive" modifies the noun "sanction", specifying the nature of the sanction as final and authoritative. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase implies a conclusive action.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "definitive sanction" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a final and authoritative penalty or consequence. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its usage is relatively infrequent, primarily appearing in formal, legal, and business contexts. Related phrases include "final penalty" and "ultimate punishment", offering alternative ways to express similar concepts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly establishes the authority imposing the sanction and the actions being sanctioned to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Final penalty

Focuses on the conclusive aspect of the penalty, highlighting that it is the last one.

Ultimate punishment

Emphasizes the severity and finality of the punishment.

Conclusive penalty

Stresses the decisive and irreversible nature of the penalty.

Decisive sanction

Highlights the impactful and determining nature of the sanction.

Absolute penalty

Indicates that the penalty is without exceptions or conditions.

Definitive consequence

Replaces "sanction" with a broader term, "consequence", while maintaining the finality.

Unequivocal sanction

Emphasizes the clarity and lack of ambiguity in the sanction.

Irrevocable sanction

Focuses on the inability to reverse or undo the sanction.

Determinate sanction

Highlights that the sanction is clearly defined and established.

Resolute penalty

Suggests a firm and unwavering imposition of the penalty.

FAQs

How can I use "definitive sanction" in a sentence?

You can use "definitive sanction" to describe a final and authoritative penalty. For instance, "The board imposed a "definitive sanction" on the employee for violating company policy."

What is a good alternative to "definitive sanction"?

Alternatives include "final penalty", "ultimate punishment", or "conclusive penalty" depending on the context and desired emphasis.

In what context is "definitive sanction" most appropriate?

"Definitive sanction" is most appropriate in formal or legal settings where a clear and irreversible penalty is being enforced. It's less suitable for informal situations.

What distinguishes "definitive sanction" from a regular "sanction"?

The term "definitive" emphasizes the finality and decisiveness of the sanction, indicating that it is not subject to change or appeal, unlike a regular sanction which might be temporary or subject to review.