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disapprove

American  
[dis-uh-proov] / ˌdɪs əˈpruv /

verb (used with object)

disapproved, disapproving

  1. to think (something) wrong or reprehensible; censure or condemn in opinion.

    Synonyms:
    criticize, decry, deplore
    Antonyms:
    praise

  2. to withhold approval from; decline to sanction.

    The Senate disapproved the nominations.

verb (used without object)

disapproved, disapproving

  1. to have an unfavorable opinion; express disapproval (usually followed byof ).

disapprove British  
/ ˌdɪsəˈpruːv /

verb

  1. to consider wrong, bad, etc

  2. (tr) to withhold approval from

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • disapprover noun
  • disapproving adjective
  • disapprovingly adverb
  • postdisapproved adjective

Etymology

Origin of disapprove

First recorded in 1475–85; dis- 1 + approve

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.