approve

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verb ap·prove \ ə-ˈprüv \

Definition of approve

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 ¹sanction 4c) to :ratify

Congress approved the proposed budget.

3 obsolete :prove, attest

intransitive verb

:to take a favorable view

doesn't approve of fighting

See approve defined for English-language learners

See approve defined for kids

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 of approve from the Web

One, approved overwhelmingly in early January 2013, provided $9.7 billion in additional borrowing authority for the National Flood Insurance Program.

— Washington Post, "AP FACT CHECK: Texas GOP misstates Sandy aid package," 30 Aug. 2017
The council approved deliveries last year on a 3-2 vote with Feller and Wood opposed.

— phil diehl, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Oceanside continues crafting medical marijuana ordinance," 30 Aug. 2017
Trustee Marc Spacone, who was not serving on the board in April 2014, said that at least three such freestanding businesses were approved during his first year as a trustee.

— phil rockrohr, chicagotribune.com, "Lake Zurich prohibits future video gaming cafes after reaching 'a tipping point'," 29 Aug. 2017
William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, approved a similar law.

— Longreads, "America’s First Addiction Epidemic," 29 Aug. 2017
That was the year a new $65 million performance complex was approved.

— mike carmin, The Courier-Journal, "Louisville vs. Purdue 2017 | Five things to know about Purdue," 28 Aug. 2017
The Legislature also approved a 4 percent cost of living raise for education employees.

— mike cason, AL.com, "Judge's order for Alabama education employees health care refunds might go on hold," 28 Aug. 2017
The agency has also approved the design for two phase III studies of MDMA for PTSD that would be funded by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), a nonprofit in Santa Cruz, California.

— kai kupferschmidt, Science | AAAS, "All clear for the decisive trial of ecstasy in PTSD patients," 27 Aug. 2017
Earlier this month Naperville School District 203 and Indian Prairie District 204 overcame the first hurdle when the resolution committee of Illinois Association of School Boards approved each district's measure.

— suzanne baker, Naperville Sun, "Local districts shoring up message as they push for legislation," 24 Aug. 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of approve

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

approve Synonyms

Synonyms

accredit, approbate, authorize, clear, confirm, finalize, formalize, homologate, OK (or okay), ratify, sanction, warrant

Antonyms

decline, deny, disallow, disapprove, negative, reject, turn down, veto

Related Words

accept, acknowledge, affirm; certify, endorse (also indorse), validate; bless, canonize, sanctify; initial, rubber-stamp, sign, sign off (on); allow, enable, legalize, license (also licence), pass, permit; reapprove

Near Antonyms

ban, enjoin, forbid, illegalize, interdict, prohibit, proscribe; disregard, ignore, neglect, overlook; rebuff, rebut, refuse, spurn

Synonym Discussion of 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

APPROVE Defined for English Language Learners

approve

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verb

Definition of approve for English Language Learners

: to believe that something or someone is good or acceptable
: to officially accept (an idea, action, plan, etc.)

APPROVE Defined for Kids

approve

play

verb ap·prove \ ə-ˈprüv \

Definition of approve for Students

approved; approving

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.

Law Dictionary

approve

transitive verb ap·prove

legal Definition of approve

approved; approving

:to give formal or official sanction to :ratify

Congress approved the proposed budget

Learn More about approve

See words that rhyme with approve Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for approve Spanish Central: Translation of approve Nglish: Translation of approve for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of approve for Arabic speakers

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Examples of approve in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of approve

approve Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

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Synonym Discussion of approve

APPROVE Defined for English Language Learners

approve

Definition of approve for English Language Learners

APPROVE Defined for Kids

approve

Definition of approve for Students

Law Dictionary

approve

legal Definition of approve

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