disapprove

[ dis-uh-proov ]
See synonyms for: disapprovedisapproveddisapprovingdisapprover on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),dis·ap·proved, dis·ap·prov·ing.
  1. to think (something) wrong or reprehensible; censure or condemn in opinion.

  2. to withhold approval from; decline to sanction: The Senate disapproved the nominations.

verb (used without object),dis·ap·proved, dis·ap·prov·ing.
  1. to have an unfavorable opinion; express disapproval (usually followed by of).

Origin of disapprove

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

Other words for disapprove

Opposites for disapprove

Other words from disapprove

  • dis·ap·prov·er, noun
  • dis·ap·prov·ing·ly, adverb
  • post·dis·ap·proved, adjective

Words that may be confused with disapprove

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use disapprove in a sentence

  • 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 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • A pair of elderly English ladies at an adjoining table stared at us disapprovingly.

  • She looked at him disapprovingly, and hoped, with something like irony, that he had enjoyed his walk.

    A Country Gentleman and his Family | Mrs. (Margaret) Oliphant
  • A footman disapprovingly ushered him to the midst of an immense drawing-room of most ponderous grandeur, and left him to perish.

    Bunker Bean | Harry Leon Wilson
  • He came to a pause at last, his eyes bent a trifle disapprovingly on his wife.

    Miss Billy Married | Eleanor H. Porter
  • While waiting for an answer to his request to see Mr. Steele, he gazed disapprovingly around him.

    Half A Chance | Frederic S. Isham
  • "I guess the judge knows how he wants his own hat," returned Hannah, her mouth working disapprovingly.

    The Opened Shutters | Clara Louise Burnham

British Dictionary definitions for disapprove

disapprove

/ (ˌdɪsəˈpruːv) /


verb
  1. (intr often foll by of) to consider wrong, bad, etc

  2. (tr) to withhold approval from

Derived forms of disapprove

  • disapproving, adjective
  • disapprovingly, 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