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

• 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

Monday’s rating is significantly better than Trump’s -15 net approval rating Morning Consult found at this point in his first term, when 40% of voters approved and 55% disapproved of his job performance. —Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025

Newsweek's tracker currently shows that 44 percent approve of his job performance, while 52 percent disapprove, putting his net approval rating at -8 points. —Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025

Some commenters were quick to disapprove of the new, more modern redesign. —Melina Khan, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025

And the Old Man seemed to know at a distance, and to disapprove by the expression of the back of his head. —Robert Easton, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2025

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