Synonyms of approve

approve

verb

ə-ˈprüv 

as in to ratify

to give official acceptance of as satisfactory

as soon as the pond project was approved, the bulldozers were at the site

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ratify
• confirm
• finalize
• endorse
• accept
• authorize
• sanction
• acknowledge
• sign
• okay
• formalize
• warrant
• OK
• accredit
• affirm
• approbate
• homologate
• certify
• clear
• bless
• initial
• validate
• permit
• indorse
• pass
• enable
• allow
• legalize
• license
• sanctify
• rubber-stamp
• canonize
• sign off (on)
• licence
• reapprove

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deny
• reject
• disapprove
• negative
• veto
• disallow
• prohibit
• decline
• forbid
• turn down
• enjoin
• ban
• ignore
• proscribe
• refuse
• disregard
• neglect
• overlook
• interdict
• illegalize
• spurn
• rebut
• rebuff

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb approve differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of approve are accredit, certify, endorse, and sanction. While all these words 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

How are the words accredit and certify related as synonyms of approve?

Both 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

When might endorse be a better fit than approve?

Although the words endorse and approve have much in common, endorse suggests an explicit statement of support.

publicly endorsed her for Senator

When can sanction be used instead of approve?

In some situations, the words sanction and approve are roughly equivalent. However, sanction implies both approval and authorization.

the President sanctioned covert operations

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of approve

Wells Fargo shares got a little jolt Tuesday, pushing above $70 per share for the first time since the April 3 post-Liberation day sell-off, after the bank announced its board approved an authorization to repurchase up to $40 billion of stock. —Jeff Marks, CNBC, 29 Apr. 2025

Morton Grove is now among a growing number of municipalities that will impose a local grocery tax when the state one is repealed effective next year, with the Village Board approving an ordinance earlier this month. —Elizabeth Owens-Schiele, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2025

There are six biologics approved for asthma and almost all of them have been studied in COPD, Drummond said. —Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 29 Apr. 2025

April's Echelon Insights survey shows a majority (51 percent) now disapprove of his job as president, compared to 47 percent who approve. —Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025

Phrases Containing approve

• approve (of)