disapproving
disapproving — adjective
1. expressing the opinion that someone or something is not good, not right, or not
expressing the opinion that someone or something is not good, not right, or not acceptable.
Indra gave her son a disapproving frown when he asked for more cake.
attributive: disapproving + [facial expression noun]
The teacher's voice grew disapproving as the students kept whispering during the test.
predicative: become disapproving
Élise shot a disapproving glance at Cyrus when he interrupted their grandmother again.
Xiu's father was strongly disapproving of her plan to drop out of college.
Paloma read the email in a disapproving tone that made everyone at the meeting uncomfortable.
- critical
broader; can mean carefully analytical, not only negative
- censorious
formal; suggests strong moral judgement and severe tone
- reproachful
implies hurt or disappointment in addition to judgement
文法句型
a disapproving + [noun]
look/be disapproving
用法筆記
Frequently modifies words for facial expressions, sounds, or manner (look, glance, frown, tone, voice). In predicative position, typically followed by 'of + noun/gerund'.
常見錯誤
disapproving — verb
1. to think that someone's actions or a situation are wrong or bad, and to feel or
to think that someone's actions or a situation are wrong or bad, and to feel or show this opinion.
Zola's parents strongly disapprove of her boyfriend because he dropped out of school.
pattern: disapprove of + [person]
Maeve disapproved of the way her sister spoke to the waiter at dinner.
pattern: disapprove of + [the way] clause
Many of the villagers disapproved of building a new factory near the river.
Jason knew his grandfather would disapprove if he came home with a tattoo.
Talia tried not to disapprove openly of her colleague's parenting choices.
- approve of
direct opposite; agree with or support
- endorse
stronger positive; publicly support
文法句型
disapprove of + [noun]
disapprove of + [gerund]
用法筆記
Almost always used with the preposition 'of' before the thing judged. Unlike 'dislike', 'disapprove' carries a sense of moral or social judgement, not just personal preference.
常見錯誤
2. to officially refuse to accept a plan, request, or application, often by a perso
to officially refuse to accept a plan, request, or application, often by a person or body in authority.
The committee disapproved Samir's funding request because his budget was missing key details.
pattern: [authority] disapproved + [request/application]
The board disapproved the merger after three days of heated debate.
transitive: direct object is the proposal being rejected
Christopher's loan application was disapproved by the bank's risk officer.
The principal disapproved the trip because the school could not arrange enough adult supervisors.
文法句型
disapprove + [noun: plan/request/application]
用法筆記
Distinct from sense 1: this sense takes a direct object (no 'of') and is mainly used in formal, institutional contexts. Compare 'The board disapproved the merger' (rejected it) with 'The board disapproved of the merger' (felt negatively about it but may not have voted against it).