approve

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
Verb
  • You may be asked to confirm your decision by clicking Yes.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Many encouraged Garcia to confirm the pregnancy with a doctor.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Alexis filed for divorce two years later, which was finalized in 2021.
    Skyler Caruso, People.com, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Importers, who finalized their 2025 orders in October 2024, risk paying tariffs on shipments in transit should duties be imposed mid-shipment.
    Jessica Dupuy, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • In 1973, the Annual Meeting endorsed the Davos Manifesto, a code of ethics for business leaders that lays out Schwab's principles of stakeholder capitalism.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2025
  • Share [Findings] More than half of U.S. civilians tasked with evaluating a bombing target endorsed killing unidentified bystanders.
    Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • That gets answered easily, because there is always a Producer – the same person who should be accepting the Oscar for Best Picture should the movie win that accolade.
    Cathy Schulman, Deadline, 25 Jan. 2025
  • In accepting her trophy, Satter talked a lot about family, both at the Institute and her own.
    Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • President Trump on Monday night signed an executive order authorizing the U.S. military to draft a plan for sending troops to the southern border.
    Brad Dress, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2025
  • That Sirianni had authorized a second-and-6 pass play from their own 8 was also curious — both Hurts and Barkley had scored on explosive runs at that point, so why put Hurts in such a position at all?
    Brooks Kubena, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near approve

Cite this Entry

“Approve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/approve. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on approve

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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