approve

[ uh-proov ]

See synonyms for: approve approved approving approvedly on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),ap·proved, ap·prov·ing.

to speak or think favorably of; pronounce or consider agreeable or good; judge favorably: to approve the policies of the administration.
to consent or agree to: Father approved our plan to visit Chicago.

to confirm or sanction formally; ratify: The Senate promptly approved the bill.
Obsolete.
- to demonstrate; show.
- to make good; attest.
- to prove by trial.
- to convict.

verb (used without object),ap·proved, ap·prov·ing.

to speak or consider favorably (sometimes followed by of:)Mother didn't approve of him.The boss wouldn't approve of the plan.He said that he approved.

Origin of approve

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English a(p)proven, from Anglo-French, Old French aprover, from Latin approbāre, equivalent to ap- ap-¹ + probāre “to prove”

synonym study For approve

1. Approve, commend, praise mean to have, and usually to express, a favorable opinion. To approve is to have a very good opinion, expressed or not, of someone or something: He approved the new plan. To commend is to speak or write approvingly, often formally and publicly, to congratulate or honor for something done: to commend a worker for a job well done. To praise is to speak or write, often in glowing and emotional terms, about one or more persons, actions, plans, etc.: to praise someone's courage.

Other words for approve

1	appreciate, esteem
2	allow, permit
3	authorize, confirm, endorse, sanction, validate

See synonyms for approve on Thesaurus.com

Opposites for approve

2, 3	deny, disallow, interdict; outlaw, prohibit, veto

See antonyms for approve on Thesaurus.com

Other words from approve

ap·prov·ed·ly, adverb
ap·prov·ed·ness, noun
ap·prov·ing·ly, adverb
non·ap·proved, adjective
pre·ap·prov, verb, pre·ap·proved, pre·ap·prov·ing.
re·ap·prove, verb, re·ap·proved, re·ap·prov·ing.
self-ap·proved, adjective
self-ap·prov·ing, adjective
un·ap·proved, adjective
un·ap·prov·ing, adjective
un·ap·prov·ing·ly, adverb
well-ap·proved, adjective

Words that may be confused with approve

approve , endorse

Words Nearby approve

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use approve in a sentence

While players are not allowed to socialize in each other’s hotel rooms, they are still allowed to mingle in team-approved social lounges.
NHL adds game-day rapid testing to coronavirus protocols | Samantha Pell | February 12, 2021 | Washington Post
It could also be argued that the municipal code language, approved in 1974, sets a more subjective standard of what constitutes a violation during an emergency.
Despite Crackdown Announcement, Not Much COVID-19 Enforcement Is Happening | Jesse Marx | February 11, 2021 | Voice of San Diego
Some vaccines that have been approved, like the one for measles, have an immune correlate of protection identified, while others don’t.
Fauci: Vaccines for Kids as Young as First Graders Could Be Authorized by September | by Caroline Chen | February 11, 2021 | ProPublica
The Senate unanimously approved the legislation on Wednesday, and the House is expected to move quickly on the measure as well.
Maryland moves toward clear plan for paying people who were wrongly convicted | Ovetta Wiggins | February 10, 2021 | Washington Post
He said the committee voted to approve and present the name Capital Stonewall Democrats, a “name that is both reflective of who we are as an organization and is also indicative of the community we serve,” Frazier told the Blade.
Stein Club changes name to Capital Stonewall Democrats | Lou Chibbaro Jr. | February 9, 2021 | Washington Blade

What they say is, ‘We don’t approve of violence, but you know what?
Bill Maher: Hundreds of Millions of Muslims Support Attack on ‘Charlie Hebdo’ | Lloyd Grove | January 8, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST
The problem was that the FDA refused to approve any new ingredients for use in sunscreen, year after year.
Nazis, Sunscreen, and Sea Gull Eggs: Congress in 2014 Was Hella Productive | Ben Jacobs | December 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Ramone, who turned to religion while trying to kick drugs, would probably approve (and laugh a little, too).
‘All Good Cretins Go to Heaven’: Dee Dee Ramone’s Twisted Punk Paintings | Melissa Leon | December 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
“The Commission did not instruct Mr. Wright to approve inaccurate wellbore completion reports,” according to the letter.
Two Texas Regulators Tried to Enforce the Rules. They Were Fired. | David Hasemyer, InsideClimate News | December 9, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
When obeyed uncritically, it produces sentences like this: The board voted immediately to approve the casino.
Go Ahead, End With a Preposition: Grammar Rules We All Can Live With | Nick Romeo | November 3, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
I have shown your account of your thrashing by steam, and Sir John Sinclair and Mr. —— very highly approve it.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2) | Francis Trevithick
I don't approve of women giving such broad hints to us men folk.
The World Before Them | Susanna Moodie
Those who approve of their polity countenance what is hostile to his government, and thus act as his enemies.
The Ordinance of Covenanting | John Cunningham
In reference to this, as well as to any other matter inculcated upon them, their consciences will either approve or condemn them.
The Ordinance of Covenanting | John Cunningham
She was a very nice girl; I wonder whether nurse would approve of her.
The Daisy Chain | Charlotte Yonge

British Dictionary definitions for approve (1 of 2)

approve¹

/ (əˈpruːv) /

verb

(when intr, often foll by of) to consider fair, good, or right; commend (a person or thing)
(tr) to authorize or sanction

(tr) obsolete to demonstrate or prove by trial

Origin of approve

C14: from Old French aprover, from Latin approbāre to approve, from probāre to test, prove

Derived forms of approve

approvingly, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for approve (2 of 2)

approve²

/ (əˈpruːv) /

verb

(tr) law to improve or increase the value of (waste or common land), as by enclosure

Origin of approve

C15: from Old French approuer to turn to advantage, from prou advantage

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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