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 Ibotta's board of directors approved a share repurchase program with authorization to purchase up to $100 million of the company’s Class A common stock. —

Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024 Now the race is on to get congestion pricing approved before President-elect Donald Trump, who opposes it, takes office in January. —

Corky Siemaszko, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024 The nomination to add the firehouse to the state and national historic registers was filed in May and approved in July, according to state records. —

Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 13 Nov. 2024 It’s scheduled to go before the full City Council on November 21, where, following protocol in which the Council follows the lead of the local councilmember, it should be approved. —

Kim Velsey, Curbed, 12 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for approve

Recent Examples of Synonyms for approve

Verb

Legislation will be introduced in the Australian Parliament this year, with the laws coming into effect 12 months after being ratified by lawmakers, Albanese said.

Reuters, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
Whether the contract is ratified carries incredibly high stakes for Boeing.

Melvin Backman, Quartz, 4 Nov. 2024