disapprove

verb

dis·​ap·​prove ˌdis-ə-ˈprüv How to pronounce disapprove (audio)
disapproved; disapproving; disapproves
Synonyms of disapprovenext

transitive verb

1
: to pass unfavorable judgment on
2
: to refuse approval to : reject

intransitive verb

: to feel or express disapproval
disapprover noun
disapprovingly
ˌdis-ə-ˈprü-viŋ-lē How to pronounce disapprove (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of disapprove

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Examples of disapprove in a Sentence

She married him even though her parents disapproved. The treaty was disapproved by the Senate.
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.
According to recent polls, a bipartisan majority of voters disapprove of the president’s handling of the economy and say the country is facing an affordability crisis. — Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026 Isshin disapproves of the use of the Dragon’s Heritage and secretly helps Wolf rescue Kuro by directing his doctor, Emma, to tip off Wolf about Kuro’s location. — Aman Kumar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026 The map depicts the percentage of money each sheriff spent on expenditures disapproved by the reviewers. — Aneri Pattani — Kff Health News, STAT, 27 Aug. 2026 Forty-seven percent of Texans disapprove of the job Paxton is doing as attorney general, according to an August poll by the Texas Politics Project. — Erin Mansfield, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disapprove

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1562, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of disapprove was circa 1562

Rhymes for disapprove

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Browse Nearby Words

disapproval
disapprove
disapprovingly
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Cite this Entry

“Disapprove.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disapprove. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

disapprove

verb
dis·​ap·​prove ˌdis-ə-ˈprüv How to pronounce disapprove (audio)
1
: to dislike or be against someone or something
disapproved the child's conduct
disapproves of smoking
2
: to refuse to give approval to : reject
disapproved the architect's plans
disapprovingly
-ˈprü-viŋ-lē How to pronounce disapprove (audio)
adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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