Trading sanctions are imposed on a country or an individual to restrict trading activities with another country or group of countries. They are a form of economic leverage exerted by powerful nations to influence foreign policy decisions of other countries. Synonyms for trading sanctions include embargoes, boycotts, restrictions, limitations, prohibitions, bans, suspensions, and controls. Embargoes signify a complete blockage on trade, whereas boycotts indicate a voluntary refusal to trade. Restrictions imply limiting certain trade activities, while prohibitions highlight the complete disallowance of trade. Bans are similar to prohibitions, while suspensions imply a temporary halt in trading activities. Controls suggest the implementation of regulations to monitor trade activities.