disapprove

/ˌˈdɪsəˌpruv/

/dɪsəˈpruv/

Other forms: disapproved; disapproving; disapproves

To disapprove is to object to something, or frown on it. Your parents, worried about head injuries, might disapprove of your joining the football team.

You can say that you disapprove of violence in movies and video games, or that you disapprove of censorship of any kind. Almost everyone disapproves of things like drunk driving or being cruel to animals. In all of these examples, to disapprove is to believe something is wrong or bad. Originally, in the 15th century, the word meant "disprove," but by the mid-1600s the meaning shifted to "the reverse of approve."

Definitions of disapprove

1. verb

   consider bad or wrong
   antonyms:

   approve

   judge to be right or commendable; think well of

   types:

   frown on, frown upon

   look disapprovingly upon

   discountenance

   show disapproval by discouraging

   type of:

   evaluate, judge, pass judgment

   form a critical opinion of
2. verb

   deem wrong or inappropriate
   “I disapprove of her child rearing methods”

   synonyms: reject

   antonyms:

   approve

   give sanction to

   types:

   object

   express or raise an objection or protest or criticism or express dissent

   deprecate

   express strong disapproval of; deplore

   deter, discourage

   try to prevent; show opposition to

   demur, except

   take exception to

   challenge, take exception

   raise a formal objection in a court of law

   carp, cavil, chicane

   raise trivial objections

   mind

   be offended or bothered by; take offense with, be bothered by

   remonstrate

   argue in protest or opposition

   make a stink, raise a stink, raise hell

   take strong and forceful action, as to object or express discontent

   type of:

   evaluate, judge, pass judgment

   form a critical opinion of