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

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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 The most notable example was fighting photo identification for voting, a constitutional amendment voters approved decisively but Cooper essentially blocked via litigation for more than half a decade. —

Alan Wooten | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 13 Dec. 2024 Federal agencies have also approved a new use for SBA loans, allowing homeowners to refinance their existing mortgages. —

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024 Tretinoin was first approved by the FDA in 1971—under the brand name Retin-A—as a topical acne treatment. —

Jasmine Browley, Allure, 13 Dec. 2024 The board also approved potential changes for the 2025-26 school year, including: Teacher and paraprofessional position cuts. —

Madeline Mitchell, The Enquirer, 12 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for approve

Recent Examples of Synonyms for approve

Verb

Only 27 amendments have been ratified throughout U.S. history, most recently in 1992.

Tobi Raji The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 8 Dec. 2024
The Phi Beta Kappa Society remains the oldest academic honor society in the U.S. 1933: Prohibition ended with ratification of the 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the nation’s only amendment of 27 ratified to have repealed another amendment.

Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 6 Dec. 2024