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
• formalize
• warrant
• OK
• accredit
• approbate
• affirm
• homologate
• clear
• certify
• bless
• initial
• validate
• permit
• enable
• pass
• allow
• legalize
• license
• sanctify
• rubber-stamp
• canonize
• sign off (on)
• 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

Using the budget reconciliation process, which allows the party in the majority to approve legislation with direct budgetary consequences without help from across the aisle, Senate Republicans pushed the package forward in recent months. —Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 10 June 2026

Recently, the parliament approved a measure making the death penalty the default punishment for West Bank Palestinians convicted of killing Israelis. —Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026

That’s why a cottage industry of consultants conducts polling and message testing to help local governments and special interests find just the right combination of words and numbers to sell voters on the need to approve them. —Susan Shelley, Daily News, 10 June 2026

In recent years, FEMA also approved pre-disaster mitigation projects in North Carolina to upgrade and protect infrastructure and reduce future recovery costs. —Maveah Griffith, Charlotte Observer, 10 June 2026

Phrases Containing approve

• approve (of)