disapprobation

noun

dis·​ap·​pro·​ba·​tion (ˌ)dis-ˌa-prə-ˈbā-shən 

: the act or state of disapproving : the state of being disapproved : condemnation

Did you know?

Disapprobation is not only a synonym of disapproval but a relative as well. Both words were coined in the 17th century by adding the prefix dis-, meaning "the opposite or absence of," to existing "approving" words: synonyms approbation and approval. The ultimate source of the foursome is the Latin verb approbare, meaning "to approve." Another descendant of approbare is approbate, which means "to express approval of formally or legally." Love it or lump it, approbare has proven itself useful.

Synonyms

• deprecation
• disapproval
• discountenance
• disesteem
• disfavor
• dislike
• displeasure

Examples of disapprobation in a Sentence

the constant disapprobation of critics

there was widespread disapprobation of the plan to combine the two school districts

Recent Examples on the Web

These cases involved monumental pieces of wrongdoing, yet the Justice Department and the federal courts allowed the New York chump-change cases against Trump—built on far smaller frauds—to get all the attention—and ultimately—the disapprobation. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024

In a 2018 episode of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, Jerry Seinfeld and Mulaney go rug shopping, supposedly at Tendler’s instruction, and Seinfeld’s disapprobation at being sent on an errand by someone’s wife cuts through the segment. —Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 16 Aug. 2024

Consumers express their opinions with their wallets, and disapprobation on social media. —Benjamin Voyer, Forbes, 31 Mar. 2023

His felony conviction drew much of the disapprobation of anti-D’Souza readers, several of whom pointed out the current firestorm between the Scott administration and courts that have found Florida’s clemency process is confusing and arbitrary. —Dan Sweeney, Sun-Sentinel.com, 8 May 2018

And maybe, too, for its perhaps-accidental prescience. The thing is, there are no real scandals on Scandal; the word implies a public reaction of disgust and disapprobation. —Daniel D'addario, Time, 19 Apr. 2018

Latino kids are not rejected by their parents for being Latino, nor are most Muslims disowned by their parents for being Muslims, but those who are gay are often the target of their families’ disapprobation or outright hostility. —Andrew Solomon, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2017

Gail O’Neill, a journalist and former model, said that for some, Ms. Keys has become a Rorschach test, and the disapprobation for the singer’s personal choice comes from women who are measuring themselves against it. —Penelope Green, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2016

Word History

First Known Use

1625, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

disapprobation

noun

dis·​ap·​pro·​ba·​tion (ˌ)dis-ˌap-rə-ˈbā-shən 

: disapproval