disapprove
Americanverb (used with object)
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disapproves,
present (3rd person singular)
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disapproved,
past participle, past
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disapproving
present participle
verb (used without object)
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disapproves,
present (3rd person singular)
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disapproved,
past participle, past
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disapproving
present participle
verb
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to consider wrong, bad, etc
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(tr) to withhold approval from
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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disapprovesimple
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disapprovessimple
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have disapprovedperfect
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has disapprovedperfect
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am disapprovingprogressive
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are disapprovingprogressive
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is disapprovingprogressive
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have been disapprovingperfect progressive
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has been disapprovingperfect progressive
Past
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disapprovedsimple
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had disapprovedperfect
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was disapprovingprogressive
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were disapprovingprogressive
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had been disapprovingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of disapprove
Explanation
To disapprove is to object to something, or frown on it. Your parents, worried about head injuries, might disapprove of your joining the football team. You can say that you disapprove of violence in movies and video games, or that you disapprove of censorship of any kind. Almost everyone disapproves of things like drunk driving or being cruel to animals. In all of these examples, to disapprove is to believe something is wrong or bad. Originally, in the 15th century, the word meant "disprove," but by the mid-1600s the meaning shifted to "the reverse of approve."
Vocabulary lists containing disapprove
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
She knew her older brother would disapprove so she tried to reduce the risk of being recognised by wearing a face covering.
From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2026
Eighty-seven percent of Peruvians disapprove of the legislature, according to an Ipsos poll.
From Barron's ● Jun. 5, 2026
It’s not as if voters can go to the voting booth and show that they disapprove of this.
From Slate ● May 7, 2026
Among white men without college degrees, a core part of his demographic base, 57% disapprove.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 28, 2026
And he knew without asking that Crane-man would disapprove.
From "A Single Shard" by Linda Sue Park
Mr Yang hastened to add, however, that he disapproves of the ban on dog meat farming.
From BBC ● Jun. 24, 2025
Under the FDCPA, they cannot call you at work if they know your employer disapproves.
From Slate ● Aug. 16, 2024
First, the charter reforms would allow the commission to place ordinances on the ballot only if the council ignores its proposals altogether or disapproves them with zero amendments.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 6, 2024
“The prosecution clearly disapproves of Mr. Lazzaro’s playboy lifestyle,” Gerdts said.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 31, 2023
The corners of his lips turn down as though he disapproves of my being up at this hour.
From "A Step from Heaven" by An Na
They definitely disapproved of our government violating due process: “We’re a country built on laws.”
From Salon ● Sep. 18, 2026
His father, Dr Augustine, says he initially disapproved of his son's social media profile.
From BBC ● Jun. 28, 2026
Overall, 43% of respondents said they disapproved of the strikes, 27% said they approved, and 29% said they were not sure.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 3, 2026
An Economist/YouGov poll conducted in early February 2025 found that 51% of Americans approved of his immigration policies while 40% disapproved.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 17, 2026
Most of the other teachers disapproved of the wildness of his classes.
From "The Landry News" by Andrew Clements
Note: Net approval is share approving minus disapproving.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026
His hard-line immigration policies have proven to be particularly unpopular, with six in 10 residents disapproving of his actions, according to the survey, a stark contrast to the county’s historical stance on the issue.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 6, 2026
They can issue a resolution disapproving of the president’s conduct.
From Slate ● Mar. 2, 2026
When questioned, he claimed to be a US official before leaving to disapproving looks from locals, according to an AFP journalist at the scene.
From Barron's ● Jan. 29, 2026
The librarian raised a disapproving eyebrow at me as I sloshed past her desk and sat in my corner again, feeling like a water balloon about to burst.
From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
