disapproval

noun

dis·​ap·​prov·​al ˌdis-ə-ˈprü-vəl 

plural disapprovals

: the act or fact of disapproving : the opinion that someone or something is bad, wrong, etc. or the expressing of such an opinion

Although she said nothing, her disapproval was obvious.

Their plan was met with strong/widespread disapproval. [=criticism]

Research shows that public disapproval of sitting presidents tends to rise along with the cost of a fill-up.

—Cathy Biank

… their precious romance may not survive his family's disapproval.

—Pamela Hutchinson

Caroline's refusal to conform to convention earned her widespread disapproval …

—Adam Sisman

Fans of the hit franchise were quick to express their disapproval of the decision in the comments.

—Alex Graf

On the market floor, several attendees wore badges or pins showing their disapproval for the legislation.

—Jennifer Bringle

Synonyms

• deprecation
• disapprobation
• discountenance
• disesteem
• disfavor
• dislike
• displeasure

Examples of disapproval in a Sentence

I could sense her disapproval.

They made their disapproval of our behavior very clear.

Recent Examples on the Web

According to Canadian pollster Angus Reid, Trudeau has a disapproval rate of around 68% as of Dec. 24, with a meager 28% of Canadians supporting him. —Andrea Margolis, Fox News, 6 Jan. 2025

The film, which director Brady Corbet worked on for seven years, has been hailed by critics and filmmakers from around the world, despite some disapproval over its three-and-a-half-hour runtime. —Vivian Kwarm, New York Daily News, 4 Jan. 2025

Like Biden, Harry Truman and Lyndon Johnson were former vice presidents who also shared much greater disapproval than approval from voters during their waning days in the White House. —Matthew A. Winkler Bloomberg Opinion (tns), arkansasonline.com, 23 Dec. 2024

Note that all but two of these disapprovals occurred during a presidential transition, when rules issued by an outgoing administration faced review by a new Congress and a new president. —Susan E. Dudley, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1649, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

disapproval

noun

dis·​ap·​prov·​al ˌdis-ə-ˈprü-vəl 

1

: the act of disapproving : the state of being disapproved

frowned in disapproval

2

: unfavorable opinion or judgment : criticism

the plan met with disapproval