disapprove

[dis-uh-proov]

See more synonyms for disapprove on Thesaurus.com

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

See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com

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 disapprovingly

suspiciously, skeptically, askew, dubiously, obliquely, sideways, disapprovingly, disdainfully, sidelong

Examples from the Web for disapprovingly

Contemporary Examples of disapprovingly

I was with Romney at a New Hampshire event when a woman in the crowd said disapprovingly that he had four houses.
Romney's Embarrassment of Riches
Howard Kurtz
January 18, 2012
A pair of elderly English ladies at an adjoining table stared at us disapprovingly.
A Late Night Visit From Christopher Plummer
Michael Korda
November 29, 2008

Historical Examples of disapprovingly

M. de Rivarol, intrigued by his mirth, scowled upon him disapprovingly.
Captain Blood
Rafael Sabatini
“There must have been eggs in that hay,” said Twaddles disapprovingly.
Four Little Blossoms at Brookside Farm
Mabel C. Hawley
"And you are keeping on drinking all the time, they say," said Foma, disapprovingly.
Foma Gordyeff
Maxim Gorky
The old whaler looked at him thoughtfully and disapprovingly.
The Boy With the U. S. Fisheries
Francis Rolt-Wheeler
The nurse looked at her disapprovingly, but after all it made little difference.
Sisters
Kathleen Norris

British Dictionary definitions for disapprovingly

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 disapprovingly

disapprove

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