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disapprobation

disapprobation

1 9.9
Strong judgment that someone's actions are wrong
  • noun
  • /ˌdɪsəˌprɒbəˈeɪʃən/
  • Formal
translation icon : desaprobación
  • Unethical behavior might lead to professional disapprobation but could also be overlooked by peers or ascribed to benign and idiosyncratic causes.

Examples

  • Indeed, you should feel moral disapprobation towards Pedro, who put Jim in this situation.

  • New Delhi, however, encountered considerable international disapprobation.

    Academic text (1997)
  • Ripley sat down next to Dillon, a look of disapprobation on his face.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Meetings are called for the sole purpose of declaring their disapprobation of the line of conduct pursued by the government, whilst in other assemblies the citizens salute the authorities of the day as the fathers of their country.

    Academic text (2002)
  • Gay marriage is morally appropriate because it recognizes a right to choose; community disapprobation is deemed backward, inconvenient, and irrelevant.

    Academic text (2002)
  • The Daily Southern Cross was of the view that, 'Had the governor not pointedly expressed his disapprobation, he would have rendered himself liable to the severest censure from the Home Government, who require from their colonial functionaries the strictest observance of the rule upon which they act, themselves, at home.'

    Academic text (2018)
  • The community expressed its disapprobation of the new policy during the town hall meeting.

  • His actions drew disapprobation from his colleagues, who believed he had acted unethically.

  • She felt a sense of disapprobation when she heard about the incident at the school.

Synonyms

objection
vsdisapprobation
292 3.6

A statement showing disagreement or disapproval

is a moral judgment rather than simple disagreement or opposition
disgust
vsdisapprobation
87 2.0

A strong feeling of dislike and being sick because something is offensive

is moral judgment focused on blame rather than visceral revulsion
condemnation
vsdisapprobation
56 5.5

A strong statement saying someone or something is wrong

emphasizes moral wrongness rather than general blame
disapproval
vsdisapprobation
45 3.0

A feeling that shows you do not agree with someone or what they do

is stronger, focusing on moral condemnation not mere dislike
distaste
vsdisapprobation
28 4.1

A mild feeling of not liking something

is stronger and rooted in moral judgment rather than mild dislike
displeasure
vsdisapprobation
28 3.9

A feeling of being annoyed or not happy about something

is stronger moral blame rather than simple annoyance or dissatisfaction
rebuke
vsdisapprobation
22 6.8

A strong comment that shows disapproval of someone's actions

is aimed at moral judgment more than personal scolding
deprecation
vsdisapprobation
6 7.3

Saying negative things about yourself to make praise seem less important

is used for moral judgment of others rather than self-criticism
repugnance
vsdisapprobation
3 8.4

A strong feeling of dislike or disgust

is a moral condemnation emphasizing blame not emotional aversion
reproof
vsdisapprobation
2 7.1

A mild criticism that aims to correct someone

is firmer and expresses moral blame rather than gentle correction
reprobation
vsdisapprobation
1 9.5

A strong moral disapproval from other people

has identical meaning but is a different word form
dispraise
vsdisapprobation
  • Archaic
1 9.9

Speaking badly about a person or thing to show you do not approve

expresses moral blame rather than contempt or scorn
disrelish
vsdisapprobation
1 9.9

A feeling of dislike for something like a food or task

is focused on moral condemnation, not merely lack of pleasure
reprehension
vsdisapprobation
  • Formal
9.8

Strong criticism of someone's actions

focuses more on moral condemnation than broad criticism

Antonyms

220 1.0

A sign that someone thinks a person or thing is good

161 3.6

A public statement supporting a person, product, or idea

approbation
  • Formal
4 8.5

Official approval or praise from a person in charge

How Disapproving

denunciation
12 7.4
condemnation
56 5.5
disapprobation
  • Formal
1 9.9
disapproval
45 3.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

disapprobation = approbation (semi-transparent) = dis + approbation

The negation 'dis-' plus 'approbation' yields the expected meaning, but 'approbation' is a formal/less frequent word and may not be known by average learners.

Etymology

The word disapprobation comes from the Latin parts dis- meaning 'not' and approbare meaning 'to approve', the same root you see in approve and approval. So, disapprobation means strong 'not approval' — a clear, often public, expression that something is wrong.