approve

verb

ə-ˈprüv How to pronounce approve (audio)
Definition of approvenext
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

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 To go before voters, the levy would first need to be approved by the City Council. —Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 5 June 2025 The Missouri Senate early Thursday morning narrowly approved a sweeping incentives plan intended to keep the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals inside state lines, clearing the largest hurdle facing the legislation. —Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 5 June 2025 Can a bank trust AI to approve a mortgage, flag fraud, or run a forecast? —Christer Holloman, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025 The result will be a 20-year master plan to be approved later this year by the NICTD board of directors. —Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for approve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for approve
  1. ratify
  2. confirm
  3. finalize
  4. endorse
  5. accept
  6. authorize
Verb
  • This arms race between the U.S. in China is especially concerning given that there is no bilateral arms control agreement, and alongside Russia, neither country has ratified the 1996 Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.
    — Natasha Lindstaedt, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
  • In doing so, TMC has sought support from the one country which has not ratified UNCLOS: the United States.
    — Victor Vescovo, Time, 22 May 2025
Definition of ratify
Verb
  • By 1946, romance rumors started to swirl about the pair, and on July 9, 1947, they were confirmed when the two announced their engagement, and were married on Nov. 20 that same year.
    — Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 31 May 2025
  • Lily Wang, a product manager for the brand, confirmed that the home can also include solar panels and a rainwater harvesting system.
    — Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 31 May 2025
Definition of confirm
Verb
  • Haack, 41, finalized her divorce from ex-husband Josh Hall in May.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 3 June 2025
  • Minnesota finalized the move late Saturday night after a whale of a week to open free agency.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 2 June 2025
Definition of finalize
Verb
  • Though the Federalist Society does not formally endorse judicial nominees or take policy positions, its network of legal scholars and alumni played an outsize role in Trump’s first-term appointments, including three Supreme Court justices.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 4 June 2025
  • In April, the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council and 32BJ, two politically powerful local unions, endorsed Cuomo despite having also pressured him to resign in 2021.
    — Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 3 June 2025
Definition of endorse
Verb
  • Ryan Bos, who has been executive director of DC’s Capital Pride Alliance since 2011, was thrilled when the group’s bid to host WorldPride was accepted in 2022.
    — Susan Miller, USA Today, 6 June 2025
  • Even after an offer is accepted, there is a critical window of risk during the resignation and notice period.
    — Nadia Edwards-Dashti, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Definition of accept
Verb
  • Secure burn barrels: If burning is authorized in your vicinity, ensure that all burn barrels feature a weighted metal cover with holes no larger than 3/4 of an inch.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2025
  • The individual was not authorized to comment publicly.
    — Darlene Superville, Chicago Tribune, 31 May 2025
Definition of authorize

Phrases Containing approve

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approve
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Cite this Entry

“Approve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/approve. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of approve for Spanish Speakers

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