Synonyms for approbation
Most common
approval praise assent commendation consent acceptance applause sanction
All synonyms
Noun
approval, commendation, praise, assent, applause, consent, sanction, acceptance, concurrence, encomium, encouragement, appreciation, countenance, recommendation, satisfaction, liking, permission, ratification, authorization UK US, authorisation UK, confirmation, plaudit, allowance dated
Definitions
- n. 1
The act of approving; an assenting to the propriety of a thing with some degree of pleasure or satisfaction; approval, sanction, commendation or official recognition.
Forms
- Plural
- approbations → approvals, commendations, praises, assents…
Choose the right word
Approbation is a milder and more qualified word than praise; while praise is always uttered, approbation may be silent. HARE Guesses at Truth first series, p. 549. [MACM. '66.] Acceptance refers to an object or action; approbation may refer to character or natural traits.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- approval This bill was sent to the Senate for its approval.
- praise Why do you get embarrassed when people praise you?
- assent She gave her assent to the match.
- consent How dare you marry my daughter without my consent?
- acceptance Self-acceptance is the basis of an authentic life.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| approbation | falling | |
| approval | falling | |
| praise | rising | |
| assent | steady | |
| commendation | falling | |
| consent | falling |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 6 letters
- praise1, liking2, assent2
- 7 letters
- consent2, plaudit2
- 8 letters
- approval3, applause2, sanction2, encomium4
- 9 letters
- allowance3
- 10 letters
- permission3, acceptance3
- 11 letters
- countenance3, concurrence3
- 12 letters
- satisfaction4, appreciation5, confirmation4, ratification5, commendation4
- 13 letters
- encouragement4, authorization5, authorisation
- 14 letters
- recommendation5
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (liking2 = 2 syllables).