disapprobation

American  

[dis-ap-ruh-bey-shuhn] / ˌdɪs æp rəˈbeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. disapproval; condemnation.

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disapprobation British  

/ ˌdɪsæprəʊˈbeɪʃən /

noun

1. moral or social disapproval

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Other Word Forms

• self-disapprobation
  noun

Etymology

Origin of disapprobation

First recorded in 1640–50; dis- ¹ + approbation

Explanation

If you show up for Thanksgiving dinner an hour late, covered in mud from a tag football game, your parents will give you a look of disapprobation. This means they seriously disapprove of your actions, despite the fact that you scored the winning touchdown. Disapprobation is a noun for the state of total disapproval and condemnation. It is often used in conjunction with a moral or social offense. Acts such as stealing an old lady's purse, defying your teachers or parents, vandalizing, or being a lying sneak are all things that are going to earn you disapprobation. But if you decide to change your evil ways and do something wonderful to earn praise, you'll find yourself back on the side of approbation.

Example Sentences

Although we can and should ascribe different levels of responsibility to people based on how senior they were and how involved their work was, none of them should escape the public’s moral disapprobation.

From Slate • Oct. 8, 2020

Appropriation of Hinduism, quantum physics and all else is disapprobation.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 17, 2020

One can learn a good deal about a critic by noting his or her favorite words of approbation and disapprobation.

From New York Times • Aug. 13, 2018

Citizens are weighed by their economic activity, with moral disapprobation attached to those who are inactive.

From The Guardian • Jan. 21, 2017

“But is there not danger of Lady Catherine’s disapprobation here, my good sir? You had better neglect your relations than run the risk of offending your patroness.”

From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen