[ap.prove] vb ap.proved ; ap.prov.ing [ME, fr. MF aprover, fr. L approbare, fr. ad- + probare to prove--more at prove] vt (14c) 1 obs: prove, attest
2: to have or express a favorable opinion of "couldn't ~ such conduct" 3 a: to accept as satisfactory "hopes she will ~ the date of the meeting" b: to give formal or official sanction to: ratify "Congress approved the proposed budget" ~ vi: to take a favorable view "doesn't ~ of fighting" -- ap.prov.ing.ly adv syn approve, endorse, sanction, accredit, certify mean to have or express a favorable opinion of. approve often implies no more than this but may suggest considerable esteem or admiration "the parents approve of the marriage". endorse suggests an explicit statement of support "publicly endorsed her for Senator". sanction implies both approval and authorization "the President sanctioned covert operations". accredit and certify usu. imply official endorsement attesting to conformity to set standards "the board voted to accredit the college" "must be certified to teach".