approve

verb

1)

his boss doesn't approve of his lifestyle

Syn:

agree with, endorse, support, back, uphold, subscribe to, recommend, advocate, be in favor of, favor, think well of, like, appreciate, go for, hold with, take kindly to; be pleased with, admire, applaud, praise

Ant:

condemn, disapprove

2)

the government approved the proposals

Syn:

accept, agree to, consent to, assent to, give one's blessing to, bless, rubber-stamp; ratify, sanction, endorse, authorize, validate, pass; support, back; informal give the nod to, give the go-ahead to, give the green light to, give the OK to, give the thumbs-up to

Ant:

refuse

••

approve, certify, commend, endorse, ratify, sanction

There are a number of ways to show your support for something. The most general way is to approve it, a term that covers everything from simple, technical agreement (to approve the plan) to enthusiastic support (she was quick to approve her son's decision to marry). Endorse implies a more public and official expression of support and is used primarily in reference to things that require promotion or publicity (endorse a political candidate), while commend is to make a formal and usually public statement of approval or congratulation (he was commended for his heroism). Sanction, certify, and ratify imply that approval is not only official but that it makes something legal. To sanction is not only to approve but to authorize (school authorities would not sanction the wearing of hats in class), while certify implies conformity with certain standards (certified to teach in the State of New York). Ratify is usually confined to only the most official and authoritative settings. For example, an employer might sanction the idea of hiring a woman to perform a job that only men have performed in the past, and the woman in question might have to certify that she possesses the necessary training and qualifications. But to ratify a constitutional amendment granting equal rights to women requires a lengthy set of legislative procedures.