approve

verb

ap·​prove ə-ˈprüv How to pronounce approve (audio)
approved; approving

transitive verb

1
: to have or express a favorable opinion of
couldn't approve such conduct
2
a
: 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
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 Despite this, the decision was curbed after studio leadership stayed at the table and narrowly approved a deal that secured wage increases and additional funding for health benefits. Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2024 Previous efforts to repeal the ban have failed, but last November lawmakers in the Michigan House voted along party lines to approve a nine-bill package that would repeal the existing ban and establish the Fertility Health Care Act. Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 7 Mar. 2024 Alabama lawmakers are moving fast to approve measures to protect in vitro fertilization clinics from lawsuits in response to an uproar sparked by a state supreme court ruling last month that found that frozen embryos have the rights of children. Kim Chandler The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 7 Mar. 2024 Plan narrowly approved in 2022 In 2022, the Surprise City Council voted 4-3 to approve a preliminary development plan for the project. Corina Vanek, The Arizona Republic, 7 Mar. 2024 West Bend may get two big residential developments if the city council approves the final step. Cathy Kozlowicz, Journal Sentinel, 6 Mar. 2024 The helicopter landed on an air strip approved by the Federal Aviation Administration and the crew members testified that trainings are often conducted in similar locations. CBS News, 6 Mar. 2024 The Confidante is within the Collins Waterfront Local Historic District, which is part of the National Register of Historic Places so the remodeling plans had to be approved by the Miami Beach Historical Preservation Board. Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2024 In October, the city council approved a moratorium on issuing new breeding permits in the city, but the ordinance is being drafted by the city attorney’s office. Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'approve.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French apruer, approver, from Latin approbare, from ad- + probare to prove — more at prove

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of approve was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near approve

Cite this Entry

“Approve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/approve. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

approve

verb
ap·​prove ə-ˈprüv How to pronounce approve (audio)
approved; approving
1
: to think well of
2
: to accept as satisfactory
approvingly adverb

Legal Definition

approve

transitive verb
ap·​prove
approved; approving
: to give formal or official sanction to : ratify
Congress approved the proposed budget

More from Merriam-Webster on approve

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!