approve

v.

1. To give approval

   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*.

   Antonyms reject, veto, deny*.

2. To favor

   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.

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