disapproved

USAGE SUMMARY

"disapproved" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is typically used to describe the action of withholding or rejecting approval or permission for something. For example, "The school board disapproved the proposal to allow students to leave campus for lunch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In real life, Wilberforce disapproved of the popular campaign to refuse sugar.

The Guardian - Film

Certainly Cameron's standing will be damaged, even among Tories who disliked Warsi or disapproved of what she stands for: it's careless to lose a protege unexpectedly, especially one he took a gamble on by over-promoting in the first place.

The Guardian

Just as Calles was flirting with the Soviet Union, former Haitian President René Préval was in a close relationship with Venezuela and Cuba, of which Washington disapproved.

The Guardian - Opinion

The militias were notorious for their harshness, often imprisoning people they disapproved of.

The Economist

But it is unlikely that they would want to sustain an operation they disapproved of.

The Economist

Southern Baptists have disapproved of Disney since 1997, when the firm decided to extend health care and other benefits to the partners of its gay employees (the Baptist hierarchy only called off an eight-year boycott last week).

The Economist

The American and Iraqi governments strongly disapproved, having expected the Philippines to follow its traditional policy of not giving in to terrorist threats.

The Economist

Two generations ago, most white Britons probably disapproved of inter-racial marriage.

The Economist

The survey, conducted by the German Marshall Fund, found that 77% of European Union citizens disapproved of the American president, up from 56% four years ago.After a controversial debate, Turkey's parliament voted by a substantial majority to send troops to join the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon.

The Economist

Those are data locked up within the still-classified report, and here are some metadata: 68% of Australians polled in August said they had little or no trust in the government or telecoms companies to safeguard what the plan proposes to collect, and some 51% disapproved of the plan altogether.

The Economist

And even the dogged idealists privately admit that traditional right-wing policies such as corporal punishment (teachers disapproved of its abolition in 1987) and academic selection (they resisted comprehensives in the 1960s and 1970s) would make their jobs easier.But teachers' politics are also shaped by those who train them and by the nature of the work.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "disapproved", ensure the context clearly indicates who is disapproving and what they are disapproving of. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "disapproved" without specifying who is disapproving. For example, instead of saying "The plan was disapproved", specify "The committee disapproved the plan" to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The word "disapproved" functions primarily as a verb in the past tense, indicating a past action of expressing or holding an unfavorable opinion. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "disapproved" is a versatile and commonly used verb form indicating disagreement or lack of approval. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, particularly in news and media, where it serves to convey various viewpoints on different issues. The analysis reveals that while "disapproved" is grammatically sound and frequently employed, ensuring clarity regarding the subject and object of disapproval enhances communication. Related phrases such as "rejected", "opposed", and "objected to" offer alternative ways to express similar sentiments. As highlighted in the writing guidance, avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating who is disapproving. With an expert rating of 4.5, the use of "disapproved" in writing is both correct and effective, making it a valuable addition to one's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rejected

Implies a more forceful refusal or dismissal.

opposed

Indicates active resistance or disagreement.

objected to

Suggests a formal expression of disapproval.

expressed disapproval of

A more verbose way of stating disagreement.

took exception to

Implies a personal offense or strong disagreement.

did not endorse

Indicates a lack of support or approval.

expressed reservations about

Suggests uncertainty or hesitation in approving.

was against

A simpler way of saying "opposed to".

did not favor

Indicates a preference for an alternative.

found unacceptable

Highlights the non-acceptance of something.

FAQs

How do I use "disapproved" in a sentence?

"Disapproved" is the past tense of "disapprove", meaning to have or express an unfavorable opinion. For example, "The manager "disapproved" of the new policy".

What can I say instead of "disapproved"?

You can use alternatives like "rejected", "opposed", or "objected to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "disapproved by" or "disapproved of"?

Both are correct, but "disapproved of" is more common. "Disapproved by" emphasizes the agent doing the disapproving, while "disapproved of" focuses on the object being disapproved.

What's the difference between "disapproved" and "disagreed"?

"Disapproved" implies a formal or authoritative rejection, while "disagreed" simply means holding a different opinion. For instance, a parent might have "disapproved" of their child's behavior, while friends might have "disagreed" on which movie to watch.