# disapprove

/ˌdɪsəˈpɹuv/ (US) · /dˌɪsɐpɹˈuːv/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/disapprove
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

to think that someone or something is bad, wrong, or not suitable. You usually use this when you do not like a choice or a behavior.

For teachers: to have or express an unfavourable opinion. Intransitive; requires a prepositional complement to indicate the object of the negative judgement.

## Examples

- My parents disapprove of my new haircut.
- The committee members are likely to disapprove of the new budget proposal because it cuts funding for local schools.
- While the public may disapprove of the celebrity's recent actions, legal experts argue that no specific laws were actually broken during the incident.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I disapprove the plan" but "I disapprove of the plan" — Disapprove is an intransitive verb and requires the preposition 'of' to connect to its object.

## Usage notes

- Intransitive verb; almost always takes the preposition 'of' before the object.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.