approve

I

(New American Roget's College Thesaurus)

v. t. accept, like, support, recognize, ratify, endorse, OK (inf.). See approbation.Ant., reject, refuse.

II

(Roget's IV) v.

1. [To give approval]

Syn. ratify, affirm, support, countenance, endorse, sign, countersign, confirm, license, consent to, agree to, assent to, sanction, empower, charter, validate, seal, legalize, recognize, accredit, certify, give one's blessing, recommend, make law, pronounce legal, authorize, second, subscribe to, adopt, make valid, sustain, uphold, concur in, allow, permit, go along with, maintain, vote for, accede to, corroborate, acquiesce in, establish, homologate, pass, OK, give the go-ahead*, give the green light*, give one's imprimatur*, rubber-stamp*, come around*.

Ant. reject, veto, deny*.

2. [To favor]

Syn. encourage, be in favor of, favor, support, recommend, make allowances for, subscribe to, advocate, accept, tolerate, condone, appreciate, acclaim, applaud, take kindly to, go for*, hold with*; see also sense 1, praise 1 .

Syn.- approve , the most general of the following terms, means simply to regard as good or satisfactory; endorse adds the further implication of active support or advocacy [ to endorse a candidate for office ] ; sanction implies authoritative approval [ a practice sanctioned by the charter ] ; certify implies official approval because of compliance with the requirements or standards [ a certified public accountant ] ; ratify implies official approval of that which has been done by one's representative [ to ratify a peace treaty ]

III

(Roget's 3 Superthesaurus) v.

1. esteem regard, favor, like, respect, accept, bless, honor.

2. sanction consent, support, endorse, authorize, permit, allow, ratify.

ANT.: 1. disapprove, disrespect. 2. deny, refuse, reject

IV

(Roget's Thesaurus II) verb 1. To be favorably disposed toward: countenance, favor, hold with. Informal: go for. Idiom: take kindly to. See PRAISE. 2. To give one's consent to: allow, approbate, authorize, consent, endorse, let, permit, sanction. Informal: OK. See ALLOW. 3. To accept officially: adopt, affirm, confirm, pass, ratify, sanction. See ACCEPT, LAW.