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

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

Example 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 Most vendors are trying to generate leads and support sales, but when companies outsource execution without defining the rules of representation, the brand begins showing up in places leadership never approved. — Emily Burroughs, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 The council ultimately approved a budget without those measures. — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 18 Aug. 2026 California approved the nation’s first efficiency standard for replacement car tires, forcing new sets sold in the state to match the low rolling resistance of original equipment by 2033. — Blanca Begert, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026 Promoted as a way to reduce the influence of big-money contributors and help underfunded candidates compete in costly statewide elections, 64% of voters approved the program in 1998. — Jim Turner, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for approve

Recent Examples of Synonyms for approve

Verb

The Supreme Court subsequently ratified the result, keeping Maduro in power.

— Catherine Ellis, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1979, was instituted after being ratified by nearly 100 nations.

— USA Today, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of ratify

Verb

Nguyen Thi Quynh Tam, 24, said she was raped on July 5 and pressured by the man's family to accept money and not go to police.

— CBS News, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
After rigorous vetting, companies accepted into the Program will be authorized to conduct two types of cyber operations under the contract and direction of the Departments of Justice or Homeland Security.

— Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of accept

Verb

Several preservation and cultural heritage organization have sued to block the project, arguing that Congress must first authorize it.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026
Specifically, StandardAero will now be authorized to work on Rolls-Royce T-56 turboprop engines used by the aircraft.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of authorize

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“Approve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/approve. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of approve

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