APPROVE Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

approve

verb

ə-ˈprüv

Definition of approve next

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

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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

Examples 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 Officially approved: Fortunately, Santa will have no trouble entering the U.S. this year, thanks to a transit permit issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. —

Laura L. Davis, USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2024 And psychedelics notched a first when the FDA reviewed a request to approve MDMA for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder. —

Alice Park, TIME, 24 Dec. 2024 The same poll had 5 in 10 adults disapprove of the decision, with 2 in 10 neither approving or disapproving and the remainder not knowing enough to give a proper response. —

Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 13 Dec. 2024 However, since the general public does not have the ability to conduct the necessary background, experience and fitness checks, nor approve or reject a candidate, it is left up to the U.S. Senate to do so. —

Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 13 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for approve

Recent Examples of Synonyms for approve

Verb

The teachers union ratified the contract with a 98% vote in favor, according to the district.

Staff report, Hartford Courant, 19 Dec. 2024
Still, not enough states had ratified the ERA by the time the second deadline came around.

Amy Shoenthal, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024