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

The White House has very little control over the regional Fed presidents, who are hired to five-year terms by the board of each regional bank and then approved by the Fed's Board of Governors. —Joe Walsh, CBS News, 13 May 2026

To pay for the funding restorations, the City Council approved cutting vacant parking enforcement officer positions, on the same day officials authorized hiking parking violation fines. —Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 13 May 2026

Feeding Our Future also sued the state’s Department of Education on racial discrimination grounds for not approving new food distribution site applications as quickly as its operators wanted. —Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 13 May 2026

Parents and teens can open a Schwab Teen Investor Account together; a parent or guardian must initiate and approve the account (and can close the account at any time). —Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 13 May 2026

Phrases Containing approve

• approve (of)