approve

verb

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ap·prove | \ ə-ˈprüv

approved; approving

Definition of approve

transitive verb

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 Phrases Containing approve Learn More About approve

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 Sixty-one percent of voters disapprove of Mr. Biden’s handling of the economy, while only 36% approve, according to a Fox News poll conducted April 28 to May 1. — Karl Rove, WSJ, 11 May 2022 Monroe's estate has since said that the late icon would approve of Kardashian's rewear at the Met Gala, according to TMZ. — Glenn Garner, PEOPLE.com, 9 May 2022 The same poll found only 28% of Americans approve of how Biden is handling inflation compared with 68% who disapprove of his stewardship on the issue. — Courtney Subramanianstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2022 There were also red jumpers, paired with pink cargo pants (yes, the type that Regina George would approve of for Wednesdays!), as well flower chokers and fluffy bags in the colour palette. — Frances Solá-santiago, refinery29.com, 1 May 2022 The amendments brought forward by the current group of city commissioners would require four commissioners — or a supermajority — to approve of the actions. — Ryan Gillespie, orlandosentinel.com, 18 Feb. 2022 The Senate will require a majority of votes to approve Justice Stephen Breyer’s replacement, not 60 votes. — Philip Elliott, Time, 26 Jan. 2022 An Emerson Polling survey of Ohio from February found that 40 percent of Ohioans approve of Biden’s job performance while 54 percent disapprove. — Daniel Strauss, The New Republic, 29 Apr. 2022 Bathe your pets with a shampoo that your veterinarian would approve of, and use a flea comb, especially around your pet's face and neck and near the base of the tail. — Jamie Kim, Good Housekeeping, 29 Apr. 2022 See More

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.