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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 The framework also provides additional guidance to brands and retailers on what descriptions would not be approved. — Sj Studio, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2026 Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch approved the penalty in August. — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 27 Oct. 2026 The African Development Bank approved a $255 million first tranche for Zambia’s part in the corridor in August. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2026 Voters approved sports wagering in those parishes in November 2020, and Senate Bill 247 was signed into law in June 2021. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for approve

Recent Examples of Synonyms for approve

Verb

The report also warned that failure to ratify the contract would stop rehabilitation work, leaving the neighborhood vulnerable to further deterioration.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026
A day before the convention was signed, 19 nongovernmental organizations released a joint statement urging nations to not sign or ratify the treaty.

— Mary Lind, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of ratify

Verb

The city attorney will finalize the formal contract for future council ratification.

— Randy Moll, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
The two candidates finalized the arguments of their campaigns on Saturday, as Lula marched along Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana beach, while Bolsonaro campaigned in a key battleground state.

— Carter Schroppe, The Washington Examiner, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of finalize

Verb

Just days after it was reported that her DSA-LA endorsement might be rescinded, Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, a Democrat who was once served as the vice president of her college’s Republican club, endorsed Raman’s candidacy.

— Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 26 Oct. 2026
Former baseball star Mark Teixeira, who is running for Congress in Texas, endorsed the Republican candidate challenging New York Attorney General Letitia James on Monday.

— David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of endorse

Verb

Polis also authorized the use of National Guard members to assist with rescue efforts in southwest Colorado.

— Ava Berger, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026
Scams involving direct payments A scammer tricks you into authorizing a wire transfer, sending money through a payment app or purchasing gift cards.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of authorize

Browse Nearby Words

approvals

approve

approved

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Approve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/approve. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of approve

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes

Synonyms of approve

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Phrases Containing approve

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes