disapproval

noun

dis·​ap·​prov·​al ˌdis-ə-ˈprü-vəl How to pronounce disapproval (audio)
plural disapprovals
: the act or fact of disapproving : the opinion that someone or something is bad, wrong, etc. or the expressing of such an opinion
Although she said nothing, her disapproval was obvious.
Their plan was met with strong/widespread disapproval. [=criticism]
Research shows that public disapproval of sitting presidents tends to rise along with the cost of a fill-up.Cathy Biank
… their precious romance may not survive his family's disapproval.Pamela Hutchinson
Caroline's refusal to conform to convention earned her widespread disapprovalAdam Sisman
Fans of the hit franchise were quick to express their disapproval of the decision in the comments.Alex Graf
On the market floor, several attendees wore badges or pins showing their disapproval for the legislation.Jennifer Bringle

Examples of disapproval in a Sentence

I could sense her disapproval. They made their disapproval of our behavior very clear.
Recent Examples on the Web Nikki Haley, who recently dropped out of the race for the GOP nomination, garnered a 49% disapproval rating. Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2024 Replies of disapproval flooded into the Phillies’ X announcement Thursday. Irina Ivanova, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2024 The attacks on minorities, the suppression of the press, and the arrest of civil rights activists have attracted scarcely a murmur of disapproval from the State Department or the White House. Ramachandra Guha, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024 And across seven nonpartisan polls conducted in January,* President Joe Biden’s average approval rating on immigration and/or the southern border was just 29 percent, and his average disapproval rating was 63 percent. Nathaniel Rakich, ABC News, 5 Feb. 2024 With about half the votes counted, the plan to provide billions of dollars to help the state’s homeless population had a little more than 50% of voters in favor and about 49.8% of voters in disapproval. David Lightman, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2024 In addition to McCool, and a couple of other officials and groups voicing the disapproval of the comments made at the meeting, the LGBTQ+ Democrats of North Carolina and the North Carolina Democratic Party Jewish Caucus put out a joint statement on Wednesday. Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 1 Mar. 2024 The Yorkshire Ripper [who was convicted of murdering 13 women and attempting to murder seven others between 1975 and 1980] probably wouldn’t mind the disapproval. Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Feb. 2024 Later Marley, despite the disapproval of his devoutly Christian mother, began to let his hair grow into serpentine dreadlocks in obedience to the Bible, which forbids males from touching scissors or comb to hair. Tommy McArdle, Peoplemag, 19 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'disapproval.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1649, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of disapproval was in 1649

Dictionary Entries Near disapproval

Cite this Entry

“Disapproval.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disapproval. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

disapproval

noun
dis·​ap·​prov·​al ˌdis-ə-ˈprü-vəl How to pronounce disapproval (audio)
1
: the act of disapproving : the state of being disapproved
frowned in disapproval
2
: unfavorable opinion or judgment : criticism
the plan met with disapproval

More from Merriam-Webster on disapproval

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