Sanction





"Sanction" is an interesting word, in that, depending on context, it can
have diametrically opposing meanings.

A judge may "sanction" a party during a legal proceeding, by which it is
meant that he imposes sanctions (penalties).

Conversely, the word may be used to mean "approve of," especially in an
official sense. "The law sanctions such behavior" would mean that the
behavior spoken of enjoys the specific approval of law.