approbation

noun

ˌa-prə-ˈbā-shən How to pronounce approbation (audio)
Definition of approbationnext
as in approval
an acceptance of something as satisfactory that plan has the approbation of the school board

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example 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 approbation While the heartbeat of the play remains with Caroline and Maddie, Rhea certainly earns our sympathy if not our approbation. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2025 His attorneys portrayed his accusers as Hollywood wannabes and hangers-on who willingly hooked up with him to court opportunity, then recast the encounters as crimes years later to collect settlement funds and #MeToo approbation. — Jennifer Peltz, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2025 On the floor, Biles’ every routine Tuesday received a studied silence, and every landing received raucous approbation. — Brendan Quinn, The Athletic, 30 July 2024 But where the standard Meyers heroine would fuss herself into a fugue state of approbation, Anne remains oddly unruffled. — Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 29 June 2024 See All Example Sentences for approbation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for approbation
approval
Noun
  • Qatar supplied the money with Israel’s approval, even as Israeli officials publicly criticized Doha for financing Hamas, according to sources familiar with the negotiations.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Despite high approval among conservative voters, Cruz’s two reelection campaigns attracted fierce challenges from Democrats, including a near loss in 2018 to former congressman Beto O’Rourke.
    — Matthew Choi, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of approval

Browse Nearby Words

approbating
approbation
approbations
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Approbation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/approbation. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All