approve
verb (used with object)
to speak or think favorably of; pronounce or consider agreeable or good; judge favorably.
had approved
-
past perfectof approve.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
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.
The UK government said Wednesday that it had approved plans to begin drilling in a controversial new gas field in the North Sea, ending months of speculation about the future of the site.
From Barron's ● Oct. 21, 2026
Abu Ali says he was subsequently called into Hassan's office and told the president had approved the operation.
From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026
For the final analysis, researchers used only cases for which coroners had approved the use of the data.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 15, 2026
Army ammunition base, had approved the project without public discussion.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
Our godmothers had bathed us with sweet-smelling soap and were dressing us in new outfits that Grosie had approved.
From "Cheaper by the Dozen" by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey
