disapprove

disapprove — verb

1. to think that a person's behaviour, choice, or way of doing things is wrong or n

1.verbintransitiveB2
Definition

to think that a person's behaviour, choice, or way of doing things is wrong or not suitable

Example

Nia's parents disapproved of her decision to study art instead of law.

disapprove of + noun phrase (decision)

The committee strongly disapproves of any behaviour that disrupts a meeting.

strongly disapproves of + behaviour

Common collocations
  • disapprove of someone's behaviour
  • disapprove of someone's decision
  • disapprove of an idea
  • strongly disapprove of
  • disapprove of a practice
Synonyms
  • object to

    stronger and more confrontational; used when someone actively expresses opposition

  • frown on

    more informal and idiomatic; suggests quiet disapproval rather than open protest

  • take a dim view of

    more formal, common in British English; implies a negative judgment based on principle

Antonyms
  • approve of

    the direct opposite; positive judgment about someone or something

Grammar Patterns

disapprove + of + someone/something

Usage Note

Always requires the preposition 'of' before the object. Cannot be followed directly by a that-clause; use 'disapprove of the fact that…' instead.

Common Mistakes

I disapprove smoking in public places.
I disapprove of smoking in public places.
this sense always needs 'of' before the object.
My parents disapproved that I stayed out late.
My parents disapproved of me staying out late.
'disapprove' does not take a that-clause; use 'of' + gerund instead.

2. when an official group or authority decides not to accept a request, plan, or pr

2.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

when an official group or authority decides not to accept a request, plan, or proposed action

Example

The planning board disapproved the building permit because it exceeded height limits.

disapprove + direct object (transitive)

Lan's application for a study visa was disapproved by the embassy.

passive: be disapproved by [authority]

Common collocations
  • disapprove a plan
  • disapprove a request
  • disapprove a proposal
  • disapprove an application
  • disapprove a merger
Synonyms
  • reject

    more common and versatile; used in both formal and informal contexts

  • turn down

    less formal; common in everyday speech about applications or offers

  • veto

    stronger; implies the power to block a decision, often in a political context

Antonyms
  • approve

    to officially accept a request, plan, or proposal

  • authorize

    to give official permission for something

Grammar Patterns

disapprove + noun phrase

Usage Note

Transitive — takes a direct object with no preposition. Frequent in passive voice and in legal, administrative, and financial contexts. Distinct from sense 1, which always requires 'of'.

Common Mistakes

The court disapproved of the merger.' (when meaning official rejection)
The court disapproved the merger.
sense 2 is transitive; 'of' is not used.
The bank disapproved my loan.' (when they simply had a negative opinion)
Use sense 1: 'The bank disapproved of my taking out such a large loan.
if the bank officially rejects the request, use sense 2.

Word family

  • disapproval
    nounB2
  • disapproving
    adjectiveB2
  • disapprovingly
    adverbC1
  • disapproved
    adjectiveB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four phrases express a negative opinion about someone's actions or ideas, but they differ in intensity and formality. 'Disapprove of' is the most neutral and general — it simply means you think something is wrong or unsuitable. 'Object to' is stronger and more active, implying that you voice your opposition, often in a formal setting like a meeting. 'Frown on' is more informal and suggests a quiet, often unspoken disapproval based on social norms rather than rules. 'Take a dim view of' is more formal and carries a tone of moral or principled judgment, common in British English. For example: 'Her parents disapproved of her career choice but said nothing'; 'Several members objected to the proposal during the vote'; 'The school frowns on students using phones in class'; 'The committee took a dim view of the manager's handling of the funds.'

disapprove ofobject tofrown on ↗take a dim view of

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • disapprove of the fact that
  • disapprove of the way

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Disapprove was formed in the late 1400s from the Latin prefix 'dis-' (meaning 'apart, in a different direction, not') and 'approbare' (to agree to, regard as good). It entered English via Middle French 'desapprouver' during a period when many legal and administrative terms were borrowed. The 'dis-' prefix reverses the meaning of 'approve', giving the sense of 'not agreeing' or 'considering bad'. The official rejection sense (sense 2) developed later, as the word came to be used in formal and legal contexts.