APPROVE Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

approve

verb

ə-ˈprüv

Definition of approve next

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of approve Focolare History The Focolare Movement, founded by Italian schoolteacher Chiara Lubich in the 1940s, was approved by the Catholic Church in the 1960s. —

Lisa Ling, CBS News, 24 Jan. 2025 The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approved his nomination and sent it to the entire Senate for a final vote. —

Phillip M. Bailey, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2025 The county Board of Supervisors approved the allocation of funds in May. —

Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2025 Cleaver acknowledged that Democrats attempted to get as many projects approved as possible before Biden left the White House. —

Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 23 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for approve

Recent Examples of Synonyms for approve

Verb

So in 1933, the 20th Amendment was ratified, changing Inauguration Day to Jan. 20 and the first session of the new Congress to Jan. 3.

— Chantelle Lee, TIME, 17 Jan. 2025
Inaugurations used to be held in March until the 20th Amendment was ratified in 1933, stating that the president's term began at noon on Jan. 20.

— Max Golembo, ABC News, 16 Jan. 2025