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approve

verb
ap·​prove | \ É™-ˈprüv How to pronounce approve (audio) \
approved; approving

Definition of approve

transitive verb

1 : to have or express a favorable opinion of couldn't approve such conduct
2a : to accept as satisfactory hopes she will approve the date of the meeting
b : to give formal or official sanction (see sanction entry 1 sense 4c) to : ratify Congress approved the proposed budget.
3 obsolete : prove, attest

intransitive verb

: to take a favorable view doesn't approve of fighting
Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about approve

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Choose the Right Synonym for approve

approve, endorse, sanction, accredit, certify 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 endorse suggests an explicit statement of support. publicly endorsed her for Senator sanction implies both approval and authorization. the President sanctioned covert operations 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

Examples of approve in a Sentence

I don't care if all the other parents are letting their kids do it; I still don't approve. The state has approved the building plans, so work on the new school can begin immediately. Your supervisor must approve the report before it can be sent.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Hennessy did not endorse that release provision but allowed Telfeyan’s organization to propose it to Gonzalez Rogers, who approved it. — Bob Egelko, SFChronicle.com, "Federal judge OKs settlement abolishing cash bail in San Francisco," 4 Sep. 2019 Administrative rules are regulations or policies from state agencies (like the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services) that, once approved, can function like laws. — Emma Keith, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan's ban on flavored vaping products: What to know," 4 Sep. 2019 Another is whether to prepare to allow marijuana exports, as Oregon did this year, in the event the federal government approves it. — Gene Johnson, chicagotribune.com, "5 years in, Washington considers overhaul of pot regulation," 30 Aug. 2019 City officials said the water price hike is lower than the 7 percent increase originally approved for fiscal year 2020 by the city council in 2015. — Elizabeth Marie Himchak, Pomerado News, "City’s water rates go up on Sunday," 30 Aug. 2019 The companies’ proposal—and ballot measure threat—come in response to Assembly Bill 5, a measure already approved by the state Assembly and widely expected to pass the Senate in the remaining two weeks of the legislative session. — Wired, "A California Bill Has Uber and Lyft Running Scared," 30 Aug. 2019 British opinion on Brexit has always been closely divided, and there have been calls to redo the 2016 referendum that approved it. — Laura Beers, The Conversation, "Why the queen said yes to Boris Johnson’s request to suspend Parliament," 29 Aug. 2019 Granted maybe your grandma won't approve this look, per se. — Bianca Nieves, Teen Vogue, "How to Wear Fall 2019's Cardigan Trend, Now," 29 Aug. 2019 Another is whether to prepare to allow marijuana exports, as Oregon did this year, in the event the federal government approves it. — Gene Johnson, The Seattle Times, "5 years in, Washington considers overhaul of pot regulation," 28 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'approve.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of approve

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

History and Etymology for approve

Middle English, from Anglo-French apruer, approver, from Latin approbare, from ad- + probare to prove — more at prove

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More Definitions for approve

approve

verb
How to pronounce approve (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of approve

: to believe that something or someone is good or acceptable
: to officially accept (an idea, action, plan, etc.)

See the full definition for approve in the English Language Learners Dictionary

approve

verb
ap·​prove | \ É™-ˈprüv How to pronounce approve (audio) \
approved; approving

Kids Definition of approve

1 : to think of as good I don't approve of the way those children behave.
2 : to accept as satisfactory The school committee approved the new curriculum.

approve

transitive verb
ap·​prove
approved; approving

Legal Definition of approve

: to give formal or official sanction to : ratify Congress approved the proposed budget

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