approve

verb

ap·​prove ə-ˈprüv How to pronounce approve (audio)
approved; approving
Synonyms of approve

transitive verb

1
: to have or express a favorable opinion of
couldn't approve such conduct
2
a
: to accept as satisfactory
hopes she will approve the date of the meeting
b
: to give formal or official sanction (see sanction entry 1 sense 4c) to : ratify
Congress approved the proposed budget.
3
obsolete : prove, attest

intransitive verb

: to take a favorable view
doesn't approve of fighting

Synonyms of approve

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approve, endorse, sanction, accredit, certify 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

endorse suggests an explicit statement of support.

publicly endorsed her for Senator

sanction implies both approval and authorization.

the President sanctioned covert operations

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

Examples of approve in a Sentence

I don't care if all the other parents are letting their kids do it; I still don't approve. The state has approved the building plans, so work on the new school can begin immediately. Your supervisor must approve the report before it can be sent.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
There’s a huge confidence chasm between those who approve of the country’s leadership under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and those who don’t — just 37% of the latter have faith in the vote. — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 20 Oct. 2026 The warrant, signed Friday, was approved by the chief judge on the 11th Judicial Circuit Court following an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, according to the arrest warrant and affidavit obtained by the Herald/Times. — Liv Caputo Herald, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026 Brightening Eye Gel $76 Designed to brighten, hydrate, and de-puff, Tata Harper’s soothing eye gel is one of my morning must-haves—and it’s also dermatologist approved. — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026 Fredendall argued that the outcome undermines promises made to California voters when Proposition 57 was approved. — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for approve

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French apruer, approver, from Latin approbare, from ad- + probare to prove — more at prove

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of approve was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing approve

Rhymes for approve

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Browse Nearby Words

approvance
approve
approved school
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Cite this Entry

“Approve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/approve. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

approve

verb
ap·​prove ə-ˈprüv How to pronounce approve (audio)
approved; approving
1
: to think well of
2
: to accept as satisfactory
approvingly
-ˈprü-viŋ-lē How to pronounce approve (audio)
adverb

Legal Definition

approve

transitive verb
ap·​prove
approved; approving
: to give formal or official sanction to : ratify
Congress approved the proposed budget
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