approbation

ap·pro·ba·tion | \ ˌa-prə-ˈbā-shən

How to pronounce approbation (audio)

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Definition of approbation

1a : commendation, praise a plan that has won the approbation of the mayor

b : an act of approving formally or officially

2 obsolete : proof

Other Words from approbation Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about approbation

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Did You Know?

Approbation is similar in meaning to "approval," and it is also very close to "approval" etymologically. Both words trace back to the Latin verb approbare, which means "to prove" or "to approve." Approbation meant "proof" when it first appeared in English in the 14th century, and by the early 1500s it had come to mean "formal or official approval," a sense it still retains in certain ecclesiastical contexts. Today, however, we mostly use "approbation" in the looser sense of "approval, admiration, or praise." The related verb approbate means "to approve or sanction," and the adjective approbatory means "expressing approval or commendation."

Examples of approbation in a Sentence

The company has even received the approbation of its former critics. that plan has the approbation of the school board

Recent Examples on the Web Kolomoisky enjoyed a few, brief moments in the glow of Western approbation. — Casey Michel, The New Republic, "Meet Trumpworld’s Next Top Ukrainian Grifter," 16 Dec. 2019 Perhaps contributing to the attendees’ approbation, a station was placed near the Lolla main gate, which was another strategic decision. — Nicole Blackwood, chicagotribune.com, "You can’t bring water into Lollapalooza any more, but it’s never been easier to refill that empty bottle," 2 Aug. 2019 But Levinson bested Waters through middle-class approbation, not through talent. — Armond White, National Review, "The Baltimore Culture Wars: A History," 31 July 2019 Within a rhetoric of universal approbation, every writer turns craven; all talent withers. — Hermione Hoby, The New Yorker, "What Does It Mean to Be a “Real” Writer?," 3 July 2019 However, his talent soon garnered him the approbation of his peers. — Hamish Bowles, Vogue, "“Balenciaga and Spanish Painting” Opens at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid," 21 June 2019 As Churchland admits, a system based on the glow of social approbation and affection versus the shame and pain of their inverse is vulnerable to all kinds of abuse. — Lidija Haas, Harper's magazine, "New Books," 10 June 2019 His comedy, by its very nature, doesn’t find, or even seek, universal approbation. — Soumya Rao, Quartz India, "Russell Peters on stereotypes, politics, and religion in his comedy," 3 June 2019 Unexpectedly, for a modern American political debate, Kasky didn’t look pleased at this show of public approbation. — Eve Fairbanks, The New Republic, "Buying In: How the Language of the Market Has Warped American Politics," 9 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'approbation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near approbation

approach signal

approach trench

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Cite this Entry

“Approbation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/approbation. Accessed 28 Feb. 2020.

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