approve

verb

ap·prove | \ə-ˈprüv

approved; approving

Definition of approve

1 : to have or express a favorable opinion of couldn't approve such conduct

2a : to accept as satisfactory hopes she will approve the date of the meeting

b : to give formal or official sanction (see sanction entry 1 sense 4c) to : ratify Congress approved the proposed budget.

3 obsolete : prove, attest

intransitive verb

: to take a favorable view doesn't approve of fighting

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about approve

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Choose the Right Synonym for approve

approve, endorse, sanction, accredit, certify mean to have or express a favorable opinion of. approve often implies no more than this but may suggest considerable esteem or admiration. the parents approve of the marriage endorse suggests an explicit statement of support. publicly endorsed her for Senator sanction implies both approval and authorization. the President sanctioned covert operations accredit and certify usually imply official endorsement attesting to conformity to set standards. the board voted to accredit the college must be certified to teach

Examples of approve in a Sentence

I don't care if all the other parents are letting their kids do it; I still don't approve. The state has approved the building plans, so work on the new school can begin immediately. Your supervisor must approve the report before it can be sent.

Recent Examples on the Web

In 1957, the FDA approved the Pill — but only for the treatment of menstrual disorders. — Carolyn Todd, Allure, "The History and Evolution of Birth Control in America," 12 July 2018 Arnold City Council approved the motion in a 4-0 vote Tuesday night, with Mayor Karen Peconi abstaining. — CBS News, "City seeks mayor's removal over comments suggesting protesters be hit with water cannons," 11 July 2018 On June 28, members of the Ramona Design Review Board and Ramona Village Design Board in a 9-2 vote jointly approved to write a letter of support endorsing the addition of the eucalyptus colonnade to the National Register of Historic Places. — Julie Gallant, Ramona Sentinel, "Garden advocate wants Ramona Street completion off priority list," 11 July 2018 County Executive Allan Kittleman declared a state of emergency following the deadly May 27 flood and the County Council has approved two extensions. — Kate Magill, Howard County Times, "State of emergency extended for parts of Ellicott City," 3 July 2018 On November 6, 1878, the entire Academy approved the report with only one dissenting vote, that of Marsh’s bitter rival Cope. — Johnforristerross, Longreads, "Taming the Great American Desert," 2 July 2018 In January, the Carpentersville Village Board approved a proposed separation agreement with Rooney, who was hired as village manager in 2010. — Erin Sauder, Elgin Courier-News, "Former Carpentersville village manager sues for severance money he says he's owed," 27 June 2018 And on Monday, the Food and Drug Administration approved the drug, now known as Epidiolex, for sale in the US. — Fred Vogelstein, WIRED, "The FDA Approved Its First Cannabis Drug. What Next?," 27 June 2018 In 2014, the Presbyterian Church narrowly approved an Israel divestment measure. — Sean Savage, Jewish Journal, "Presbyterian Church continues trend of targeting Israel at its General Assembly," 26 June 2018

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