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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Two sources who spoke to Reuters said the U.S. may approve $30 million per month in grants to the GHF in the future. Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 12 July 2025 Walgreens Boots Alliance shareholders Friday approved private equity firm Sycamore Partners’ $10 billion buyout offer for the iconic drugstore chain. Bruce Japsen, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025 The new guidance says that, when encountering an immigrant with a pending or approved T or U visa application, ICE agents should first consult with the agency's legal advisors. Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 11 July 2025 But multiple sources told CNN that Noem didn't approve the deployment of those teams until Monday — days after parts of the state were first overwhelmed by floods. Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for approve

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Approve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/approve. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

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
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