Synonyms of approve

approve

verb

ə-ˈprüv 

as in to ratify

to give official acceptance of as satisfactory

as soon as the pond project was approved, the bulldozers were at the site

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ratify
• confirm
• finalize
• endorse
• accept
• authorize
• sanction
• acknowledge
• sign
• okay
• formalize
• warrant
• OK
• accredit
• affirm
• approbate
• homologate
• certify
• clear
• bless
• initial
• validate
• permit
• indorse
• pass
• enable
• allow
• legalize
• license
• sanctify
• rubber-stamp
• canonize
• sign off (on)
• licence
• reapprove

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deny
• reject
• disapprove
• negative
• veto
• disallow
• prohibit
• decline
• forbid
• turn down
• enjoin
• ban
• ignore
• proscribe
• refuse
• disregard
• neglect
• overlook
• interdict
• illegalize
• spurn
• rebut
• rebuff

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb approve differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of approve are accredit, certify, endorse, and sanction. While all these words 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

How are the words accredit and certify related as synonyms of approve?

Both 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

When might endorse be a better fit than approve?

Although the words endorse and approve have much in common, endorse suggests an explicit statement of support.

publicly endorsed her for Senator

When can sanction be used instead of approve?

In some situations, the words sanction and approve are roughly equivalent. However, sanction implies both approval and authorization.

the President sanctioned covert operations

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of approve

To speed up the development of nuclear power, the orders grant the U.S. Energy secretary authority to approve advanced reactor designs and projects, taking authority away from the independent safety agency that has regulated the U.S. nuclear industry for five decades. —Matthew Daly, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2025

Continue reading … -- POLITICS OH, SNAP – Trump admin approves 'historic' waivers to ban junk food from food stamp programs. —FOXNews.com, 23 May 2025

This sounds like a possible link to spy craft or missile warning, but there's a chance Chinese officials approved the patches to misdirect outside observers, or there's no connection at all. —ArsTechnica, 23 May 2025

The president is also supposed to, under the NEA, transmit the terms of the emergency to Congress, which then approves and authorizes the use of emergency powers. —Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025

Phrases Containing approve

• approve (of)