APPROVAL Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

approval

noun

ə-ˈprü-vəl

Definition of approval

as in favor

an acceptance of something as satisfactory does this poster I made for the recital meet with your approval?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of approval Trump’s approval of Hasan’s execution last Friday came days after a botched lethal-injection execution in Tennessee. — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026 While The Social Network boasts a 96 Rotten Tomatoes score, critics have been mixed on the follow-up, as The Social Reckoning holds a 54 percent approval from reviewers and a 71 percent audience rating. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026 The conclusions are non-binding and face criticism, and the ultimate approval is up to the judge. — Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026 The biggest sponsor wasn't suspended Amazon, with 19,178 H-1B approvals in fiscal 2025, and Meta, with 6,294, were the top two sponsors, and neither was suspended. — Marshall Ritzel,gabriel Cortés, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for approval

Recent Examples of Synonyms for approval

Noun

Netanyahu has been accused of offering or exchanging favors with wealthy associates and media moguls for political gain.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
That familiarity has certainly worked in the movie’s favor among some viewers, particularly those invested in its maximalist approach to both familial melodrama and semi-surreal scares.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of favor

Noun

The team was slated for elimination under funding cuts for the upcoming fiscal year, following the approbation of a $9 billion budget, outlining $57 million in cuts to general fund departments, through a 4-1 vote on June 10.

— Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026
This too is greeted with collective approbation; everyone recognizes that this is the right thing to do.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 June 2026

Definition of approbation

Noun

Throughout our conversation, in fact, the pair chuckles, nods along to each other’s answers, interjects sounds of assent.

— Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
The Provisional Government has not assumed a republican or other constitutional form, but has remained a mere executive council or oligarchy, set up without the assent of the people.

— Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of assent

Noun

When Daines started exploring how to fix the Senate, all roads led to Merkley, who wrote Democrats’ last rules change proposal and spearheaded the push to end the 60-vote threshold for nominees.

— Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2026
The commission voted 7-1 to direct County Attorney Tyrone Wade to look into whether any laws or policies were broken during the consent agenda vote and whether any policies should be adjusted to prevent similar situations in the future.

— Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of vote

Noun

The latest items in the line are inspired by the Trunk Edition men’s capsule collection launched last February, while leather goods nod to the 130th anniversary celebrations of the brand’s signature Monogram.

— Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Quiroz asserts Mission Lotería — the name is a nod to a Mexican card game — would not have opened had the team not pitched their vision to a panel overseeing the city’s storefront opportunity grants.

— Terry Tang, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of nod

Noun

The actors Nael Nacer and Artemis Pebdani double as Haddad’s great-aunt and -uncle and parents, playing across a spectrum of discomfort and cautious support.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026
Its adaptable architecture supports missions including tactical logistics, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, casualty evacuation, communications support and other mission-critical applications.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of support

Noun

Her endorsement list also includes former bosses Ros-Lehtinen and Bovo, both of whom have donated to her campaign, and her current boss, FIU president Nuñez.

— Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026
About half of Democratic primary voters in Charlotte are Black, making the BPC an influential group in local politics and its endorsements among the most coveted.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 10 Oct. 2026