What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sanction
Example
The government imposed economic sanctions on the country for human rights violations. [sanctions: noun]
Example
The committee will sanction the construction of the new building. [sanction: verb]
embargo
Example
The United States imposed an embargo on Cuba in the 1960s. [embargo: noun]
Example
The company decided to embargo the release of the new product until further notice. [embargo: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sanction is more commonly used than embargo in everyday language. Sanction is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while embargo is less common and refers specifically to trade restrictions.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sanction and embargo?
Both sanction and embargo are formal words that are often used in political or legal contexts. However, sanction can also be used in a more general sense, while embargo is more specific to trade and commerce.
