1 disapprobation | Definition of disapprobation
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

disapprobation

noun
dis·​ap·​pro·​ba·​tion | \ (ˌ)dis-ˌa-prə-ˈbā-shən How to pronounce disapprobation (audio) \

Definition of disapprobation

: the act or state of disapproving : the state of being disapproved : condemnation
Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about disapprobation

Keep scrolling for more

Did You Know?

Disapprobation is not only a synonym of "disapproval" but a relative as well. Both words were coined in the mid-17th century by adding the prefix dis-, meaning "the opposite or absence of," to earlier and more "approving" words: synonyms "approbation" and "approval." The Latin verb approbare, meaning "to approve," is an ancestor of both of those words. Another descendant of "approbare" in English is "approbate," which, as you may have guessed by now, means "to approve."

Examples of disapprobation in a Sentence

the constant disapprobation of critics there was widespread disapprobation of their mixed marriage in that narrow-minded community

Recent Examples on the Web

 His felony conviction drew much of the disapprobation of anti-D’Souza readers, several of whom pointed out the current firestorm between the Scott administration and courts that have found Florida’s clemency process is confusing and arbitrary. — Dan Sweeney, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Prominent Republicans express misgivings about Dinesh D'Souza appearance, but reader reaction seems to fall on party lines," 8 May 2018 And maybe, too, for its perhaps-accidental prescience. The thing is, there are no real scandals on Scandal; the word implies a public reaction of disgust and disapprobation. — Daniel D'addario, Time, "Scandal Helped Define the Obama Era. And Maybe Predicted Trump's," 19 Apr. 2018 Latino kids are not rejected by their parents for being Latino, nor are most Muslims disowned by their parents for being Muslims, but those who are gay are often the target of their families’ disapprobation or outright hostility. — Andrew Solomon, The New Yorker, "Fear and Loathing in Trump’s America," 3 Feb. 2017 Gail O’Neill, a journalist and former model, said that for some, Ms. Keys has become a Rorschach test, and the disapprobation for the singer’s personal choice comes from women who are measuring themselves against it. — Penelope Green, New York Times, "NYT Living Newsletter," 14 Sep. 2016

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

See More

First Known Use of disapprobation

1625, in the meaning defined above

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on disapprobation

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with disapprobation

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for disapprobation

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!