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

When the Red Cross denied the women entry to their club and instead opened a segregated club, the battalion collectively refused to enter to express their disapproval. —Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024

Jack wasn’t aware that his life was off track, which raises their old disapproval over him choosing the Marines, not Berkeley. —Sara Netzley, EW.com, 19 Dec. 2024

His rating then declined again, reaching a net disapproval of 21.6 percentage points on January 18, 2021, following the January 6, 2021, Capitol Hill riot, when hundreds of his supporters stormed Congress in a bid to prevent Biden's 2020 election victory from being certified. —Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024

But after the respondents were informed of RFK Jr.’s past statements, their approval of his nomination dropped to 39 percent, a swing from a 3-point margin of approval to a 13-point margin of disapproval. —Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 13 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