disapprove

verb

dis·​ap·​prove ˌdis-ə-ˈprüv 

disapproved; disapproving; disapproves

transitive verb

1

: to pass unfavorable judgment on

2

: to refuse approval to : reject

intransitive verb

: to feel or express disapproval

disapprover noun

disapprovingly

ˌdis-ə-ˈprü-viŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms of disapprove

• reject
• deny
• refuse
• decline

Examples of disapprove in a Sentence

She married him even though her parents disapproved.

The treaty was disapproved by the Senate.

Recent Examples on the Web

Although Christians often disapproved of Hoodoo, for many African Americans its practice has served as a particular, local, and lived expression of Christianity rather than something antithetical to it. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026

The numbers of respondents in major Western countries, such as the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy, who disapprove of Israel spiked by almost ten points from when Pew had conducted the same survey last year. — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2026

Colson was not the only person with very close ties to Cunningham who didn't exactly disapprove of the play. — Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Bryan Wenter, a land use lawyer from HSW, LLP, asserted that the project cannot be lawfully disapproved. — Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1562, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for disapprove

• approve
• disprove
• improve
• remove
• reprove
• groove
• move
• prove

Kids Definition

disapprove

verb

dis·​ap·​prove ˌdis-ə-ˈprüv 

1

: to dislike or be against someone or something

disapproved the child's conduct

disapproves of smoking

2

: to refuse to give approval to : reject

disapproved the architect's plans

disapprovingly

-ˈprü-viŋ-lē 

adverb