approve

Definition of approvenext

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of approve Immigration was a brighter spot then; in February 2025, 50% approved and 41% disapproved. Christopher Cann, USA Today, 28 Jan. 2026 Meanwhile, Reuters reported on Wednesday that China has approved domestic tech giants ByteDance, Alibaba and Tencent to buy Nvidia's H200 system, a critical development in the long-running saga of Nvidia's position in China, a huge market for the company. Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2026 Zambia’s program was approved in 2022, two years after a sovereign debt default imposed economic strains whose effects have not fully gone away. Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 28 Jan. 2026 County law limits that power, only allowing commissioners to approve or reject an appointment made by a five-member selection committee. Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 28 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for approve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for approve
Verb
  • While the February deadline may not be a firm one, the government will need a deal in hand well before expiration day so the Arizona Legislature and possibly Congress have time to ratify the details.
    Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 3 Feb. 2026
  • The pressure now shifts to the House, where lawmakers will have to decide whether to swiftly ratify the Senate plan or reopen a deeper fight over immigration and other policy priorities.
    Nik Popli, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Iran’s sweeping crackdown on anti-government demonstrations left more than 6,800 people dead, the vast majority of them protesters killed last month, according to an advocacy organization tracking and confirming the fatalities.
    Maham Javaid, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
  • Ivory mentioned that a similar pipe failure last summer caused more than $1 million in damage and said recent site visits have confirmed that these breakdowns are recurring and structural, not accidental.
    La'Tasha Givens, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • New Delhi Reuters — India and the European Union have finalized a long pending landmark trade deal, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday, as the two sides seek to hedge against fickle ties with the US.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 27 Jan. 2026
  • The mediation agreement, which builds on but contains key changes from a prior arrangement hashed out last November between Fairview and M Physicians alone, is expected to be finalized by a vote of the U’s Board of Regents on Friday.
    Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The app will bring to the fore true voices endorsed by the fanbases.
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Rogan, who has increasingly broken with Trump in recent months after endorsing his 2024 campaign, refrained from explicitly criticizing the president or the Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday’s episode.
    Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Orphans and widows do not often accept the wider geopolitical need for their immediate grief.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 31 Jan. 2026
  • Goldis, wanting to accept the invitation, requested prior approval in accordance with the policy, but the NYAG’s office denied her petition.
    Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 31 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Defendant Metcalf provided false information to Defendant Johnson about what Plaintiff Kennedy allegedly said, thereby instigating and authorizing the publication of the defamatory and reckless statements, which were intended to harm Plaintiff Kennedy.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Adam Duckworth, president and founder of Travelmation, a travel agency and authorized Disney vacation planner, says the company has been seeing an increase in multi-generation cruise travel.
    Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 3 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Approve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/approve. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.

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