disapprove

[dis-uh-proov]

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

to think (something) wrong or reprehensible; censure or condemn in opinion.
to withhold approval from; decline to sanction: The Senate disapproved the nominations.

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

to have an unfavorable opinion; express disapproval (usually followed by of).

Origin of disapprove

First recorded in 1475–85; dis-¹ + approve

Related formsdis·ap·prov·er, noundis·ap·prov·ing·ly, adverbpost·dis·ap·proved, adjective

Can be confuseddeny disapprove disprove rebut refute

Synonyms for disapprove

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1. deplore, decry, criticize.

Antonyms for disapprove

1. praise.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for disapprove

veto, denounce, decry, oppose, reject, dislike, deplore, discountenance, slam, reprove, reprehend, damn, pan, reprobate, dismiss, censure, disallow, blame, nix, spurn

Examples from the Web for disapprove

Contemporary Examples of disapprove

I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.
The Muslim Cop Killed by Terrorists
Michael Daly
January 9, 2015
Some believe you need to be taught to disapprove of her morals and ethics.
My Commencement Speech to Rutgers’ Geniuses: Go Forth and Fail
P. J. O’Rourke
May 18, 2014
So why do we still love her but disapprove of all things GOOP?
Why Do We Love Gisele Bundchen but Hate Gwyneth Paltrow?
Erin Cunningham
May 15, 2014
Women (53 percent) and suburbanites (58 percent) now disapprove of him, according to the latest CNN poll.
Obama’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Year
Lloyd Green
November 26, 2013
The cherry on top for him: almost three quarters, 72 percent, disapprove of congressional Republicans.
The Obama Charm Offensive: Inside His Session with the House GOP
David Catanese
March 14, 2013

Historical Examples of disapprove

You have never been to the theatre, you say, and yet you disapprove of it.
Life in London
Edwin Hodder
I think, my dear mother, you would not disapprove of her as a daughter.
Lady Susan
Jane Austen
By which is implied a right to disapprove, if they think fit.
Clarissa, Volume 3 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson
I know you well enough to realize that you do not disapprove of what I am doing.
A Comedy of Marriage and Other Tales
Guy De Maupassant
And though I disapprove of your husband's doings, you know I would not willingly do him any harm?
The Eternal City
Hall Caine

British Dictionary definitions for disapprove

disapprove

verb

(intr often foll by of) to consider wrong, bad, etc
(tr) to withhold approval from

Derived Formsdisapproving, adjectivedisapprovingly, adverb

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

Word Origin and History for disapprove

late 15c., "disprove;" as the reverse of approve it is first attested 1640s. See dis- + approve. Related: Disapproved; disapproving.