Synonyms of disapprove

disapprove 1 of 2

verb (1)

ˌdis-ə-ˈprüv 

1

as in to reject

to be unwilling to grant

the committee disapproved the proposal to allow casino gambling in the state

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reject
• deny
• refuse
• decline
• withhold
• disallow
• negative
• forbid
• prohibit
• veto
• restrict
• reprobate
• nix
• ban
• enjoin
• restrain
• proscribe
• keep
• spurn
• repel
• curb
• hinder
• constrain
• impede
• check
• repress
• obstruct
• rebuff
• hold
• balk (at)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• permit
• let
• okay
• concede
• allow
• grant
• provide
• afford
• OK
• authorize
• give
• furnish
• supply
• agree (to)
• license
• acquiesce
• commission
• warrant
• consent (to)
• accede (to)
• sanction
• assent (to)
• accord
• licence
• vouchsafe

2

as in to refuse

to show unwillingness to accept, do, engage in, or agree to

disapproved the first set of blueprints submitted by the firm

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reject
• refuse
• decline
• deny
• ignore
• dismiss
• spurn
• avoid
• repudiate
• pass
• withdraw
• forbid
• dispute
• veto
• balk (at)
• pass up
• negative
• turn down
• deselect
• throw over
• reprobate
• nix
• throw out
• prohibit
• disdain
• proscribe
• overrule
• renounce
• disavow
• scorn
• rebuff
• forbear
• revoke
• turn one's back on
• disclaim
• abstain (from)
• disown
• blow off
• refrain (from)
• gainsay
• contradict
• scout
• retract
• refute
• forswear
• shoot down
• recall
• abjure
• foreswear
• disprove
• take back
• negate
• controvert
• stick
• disallow
• disagree (with)
• recant
• unsay
• rebut
• bypass
• renege
• back down
• detour
• back off
• backtrack

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approve
• accept
• agree (to)
• tolerate
• adopt
• condone
• receive
• take
• swallow
• agree
• embrace
• welcome
• acquiesce
• choose
• consent
• countenance
• select
• assent
• accede
• support
• espouse
• handpick

disapprove (of)

2 of 2

verb (2)

as in to dislike

to hold an unfavorable opinion of

my sister disapproves of my smoking

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dislike
• frown (on or upon)
• criticize
• reject
• disesteem
• mislike
• tut (over or about)
• deprecate
• denounce
• look down one's nose (on)
• condemn
• discountenance
• tut-tut (over or about)
• disfavor
• reprove
• object (to)
• discommend
• tsk-tsk
• disrelish
• pooh
• pooh-pooh
• scold
• scorn
• reprehend
• reprobate
• censure
• chide
• rebuke
• reproach

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approve
• like
• favor
• support
• endorse
• enjoy
• sanction
• indorse
• delight (in)
• love
• relish
• fancy
• dig
• adore
• revel (in)
• groove (on)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of disapprove

Verb

For example, on inflation, 59% disapproved, while 33% approved. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2025

The poll results showed that 44% approved of Trump’s job performance, and 55% disapproved. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2025

Three-quarters of Australians also disapprove of Trump negotiating with Russian President Vladimir Putin over Ukraine. —Scott Neuman, NPR, 23 Apr. 2025

The latest Economist/YouGov survey finds Trump’s job approval dropping 5 points over the past week into sharply negative territory, with 43 percent approving and 51 percent disapproving. —Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 11 Apr. 2025

Phrases Containing disapprove

• disapprove (of)