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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Washington voters are deciding four ballot measures that, if approved, would change the state's tax system and roll back measures designed to combat climate change. —

Melissa Santos, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024 Once approved, the business receives an amount from the invoice with a commission deducted from the financing provider. —

Oleg Chanchikov, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 Meta removed some of the ads after initially approving them but did not catch some with similar or identical content, the report stated. —

Miranda Nazzaro, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024 Thirty-three states will be eligible for the settlement payout, which still needs to be submitted to and approved by a state court judge in each state. —

Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for approve

Recent Examples of Synonyms for approve

Verb

Legislation will be introduced in the Australian Parliament this year, with the laws coming into effect 12 months after being ratified by lawmakers, Albanese said.

Reuters, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
Whether the contract is ratified carries incredibly high stakes for Boeing.

Melvin Backman, Quartz, 4 Nov. 2024