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

Soon after the Maduro raid, during a regular check-in that Palantir holds with Anthropic, an Anthropic official discussed the operation with a Palantir senior executive, who gathered from the exchange that the AI startup disapproved of its technology being used for that purpose. —Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 17 Feb. 2026

The poll showed that 31% of those who watched approved of him performing entirely in Spanish, while only 11% disapproved. —Chris Willman, Variety, 15 Feb. 2026

Providing additional comic and vocal support were Craig Colclough as the scheming Don Basilio, Tasha Hoduao Koontz as Bartolo’s disapproving maid Berta and Joseph Calzada as Fiorello. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026

Strong majorities disapproved of both his job performance and his administration’s immigration policies. —Gromer Jeffers Jr, Dallas Morning News, 14 Feb. 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