Son joining ventures — any number involved punishments (9)

I believe the answer is:

sanctions

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'involved punishments' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both acts as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'son joining ventures any number' is the wordplay.
'son' becomes 's' (genealogical abbreviation for son).
'joining' indicates putting letters inside (inserted letters join the word).
'ventures' becomes 'actions' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'any number' becomes 'n' (mathematical symbol for an unspecified number).
'actions' going around 'n' is 'anctions'.
's'+'anctions'='SANCTIONS'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sanctions that I've seen before include "Approves; penalises" , "Permits" , "Penalties for disobeying rules" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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