approve
verb
\
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.
: to take a favorable view doesn't approve of fighting
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Synonyms & Antonyms for approve
Synonyms
accredit, authorize, clear, confirm, finalize, formalize, OK (or okay), ratify, sanction, warrant
Antonyms
decline, deny, disallow, disapprove, negative, reject, turn down, veto
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Examples of approve in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Massachusetts Port Authority has convinced state lawmakers to include $100 million in an economic development bill that could be approved by the House of Representatives as soon as Tuesday. — BostonGlobe.com, "The week in business," 13 July 2018 The plan is expected to be approved by the Metro board at its meeting on Thursday. — Martine Powers, Washington Post, "Metro will seek to sell downtown D.C. headquarters," 12 July 2018 To the outsider, there wasn’t real rock and roll in Russia: Everything had to go through the state or had to be approved by sensors and the KGB. — Andrew Dansby, Houston Chronicle, "Ludovico: The piano’s quiet rock star talks about his first Houston concert," 11 July 2018 The applicant will have to be approved by the full library board. — Michelle Mullins, Elgin Courier-News, "Elgin News Digest: Dueling Pianos to perform in East Dundee, Purple Heart Day barbecue set for Aug. 4, Fox River library board candidates sought, more," 6 July 2018 The new version of the bill still needs to be approved by both houses of the California Legislature, and signed by Governor Jerry Brown. — Klint Finley, WIRED, "New California Bill Restores Strong Net Neutrality Protections," 5 July 2018 The bills have until August 31st to be approved by the legislature. — Makena Kelly, The Verge, "A revamped California net neutrality bill is moving forward again," 5 July 2018 School start and end times are laid out in the teachers’ and staff union contract, and any changes must be approved by the union. — Sarah Freishtat, Aurora Beacon-News, "East Aurora union contract expires with no replacement on the table," 3 July 2018 The house, therefore, must meet certain design requirements and all renovations must be approved by the village and maintain the original architectural features and style. — David Gleisner, Daily Southtown, "Orland Park's 'first and oldest' home is on the market," 2 July 2018These 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.
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More Definitions for approve
approve
verb
English Language Learners Definition of approve
: to believe that something or someone is good or acceptable
: to officially accept (an idea, action, plan, etc.)
See the full definition for approve in the English Language Learners Dictionary
approve
verb
\
Kids Definition of approve
1 : to think of as good I don't approve of the way those children behave.
2 : to accept as satisfactory The school committee approved the new curriculum.
approve
transitive verbLegal Definition of approve
: to give formal or official sanction to : ratify Congress approved the proposed budget
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