approve

verb

ap·​prove ə-ˈprüv 

approved; approving

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

• accredit
• approbate
• authorize
• clear
• confirm
• finalize
• formalize
• homologate
• OK
• okay
• ratify
• sanction
• warrant

Choose the Right Synonym for approve

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

Document shredding versus interrupting an official meeting Congress approved the law in 2002 as part of an overhaul of the financial system. —Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024

Her opposition comes as Johnson faces mounting pressure to call a vote on approving more aid for Ukraine, something Greene strongly opposes. —Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2024

At the beginning of April, 86 candidates had been approved for security protection from the Ministry of Security and Citizen Protection, according to its figures. —David Shortell, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024

Now the hospital is set to reopen after being approved for a $57-million no-interest loan from the state’s Distressed Hospital Loan Program. —Jireh Deng, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024

The move still hasn’t been approved by Tehran’s highest-ranking officials, the people said, while the US has moved additional military assets into the region. —Julia Fanzeres, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2024

City officials had been negotiating in closed sessions over the past few months and approved the agreement March 25. —Claudia Levens, Journal Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2024

The Federal Aviation Administration must approve the use of the beam each NBA season, according to Public Affairs Specialist Ian Gregor with the agency. —Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 11 Apr. 2024

Pro pilots may apply for an FAA waiver to get around this rule, but there's no guarantee the agency will approve a request. —Jim Fisher, PCMAG, 11 Apr. 2024

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

Phrases Containing approve

• pre-approve

Kids Definition

approve

verb

ap·​prove ə-ˈprüv 

approved; approving

1

: to think well of

2

: to accept as satisfactory

approvingly

-ˈprü-viŋ-lē 

adverb

Legal Definition

approve

transitive verb

ap·​prove

approved; approving

: to give formal or official sanction to : ratify

Congress approved the proposed budget