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

Over the weekend, Iran elected a new leader that the White House disapproves of (Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late supreme leader, Ali Khamenei), and oil prices began climbing north of $100 a barrel. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2026

Among voters 55 and older, 54% approved of the administration’s handling of immigration; 69% of voters 18-34 disapproved. —Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2026

More than half of them, 56 percent, disapprove. —CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026

The figures would suggest some support among the US public for going after Iran’s nuclear program, though other polling suggests most Americans disapprove of the strikes and thought the administration should have given diplomacy more of a shot. —Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 5 Mar. 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