approval

noun

ap·​prov·​al ə-ˈprü-vəl How to pronounce approval (audio)
Synonyms of approval
: an act or instance of approving something : approbation
The change is subject to the committee's approval.
see also:
on approval

Synonyms of approval

Relevance
See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of approval in a Sentence

children who never gained their parents' approval Do I have your approval to make the changes? The rally will be on May 19, provided the city gives its approval. The government has so far withheld approval of the drug. We were required to get approvals at each stage of the project.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Trump’s approval of Hasan’s execution last Friday came days after a botched lethal-injection execution in Tennessee. — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026 While The Social Network boasts a 96 Rotten Tomatoes score, critics have been mixed on the follow-up, as The Social Reckoning holds a 54 percent approval from reviewers and a 71 percent audience rating. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026 The conclusions are non-binding and face criticism, and the ultimate approval is up to the judge. — Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026 Amazon passed Microsoft in 2017 and now gets about three times as many approvals. — Marshall Ritzel,gabriel Cortés, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for approval

Word History

Etymology

see approve

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of approval was in 1613

Phrases Containing approval

Rhymes for approval

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Browse Nearby Words

approvable
approval
approval book
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Cite this Entry

“Approval.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/approval. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

approval

noun
ap·​prov·​al ə-ˈprü-vəl How to pronounce approval (audio)
: an act or instance of approving
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