Approval vs. Acceptance — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on August 22, 2023
Approval is the act of agreeing or giving consent, while acceptance is the act of receiving or acknowledging something as satisfactory.
Difference Between Approval and Acceptance
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Approval implies a positive judgment about something based on a set of criteria or standards. Acceptance, on the other hand, denotes the acknowledgment or recognition of something, irrespective of its inherent qualities.
Approval often requires some sort of evaluation or assessment, weighing the pros and cons, or judging the merits of a particular thing. Acceptance can simply be the act of recognizing a reality or circumstance without necessarily endorsing or condemning it.
When someone seeks approval, they are looking for endorsement or validation, often to affirm that they are in the right or their actions are justified. Acceptance, on the other hand, does not necessarily convey agreement or disagreement. It is more about recognizing and understanding a particular situation or state of affairs.
In many social contexts, approval can be seen as a form of social currency. People often seek the approval of peers, superiors, or society at large to feel valued or worthy. Acceptance in such contexts is more about being included or recognized as part of a group or community, without necessarily being judged or evaluated.
In emotional or psychological contexts, approval often relates to self-worth and esteem. Individuals might seek approval from others to bolster their self-image or validate their feelings. Acceptance, in these contexts, is more about coming to terms with one's own feelings or situations, finding peace irrespective of external validation.
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Lastly, in formal contexts, approval might refer to official consent, like getting a project approved. Acceptance might pertain to receiving something, such as a proposal, without necessarily endorsing its content.
Comparison Chart
Nature
Judgment or consent
Acknowledgment or reception
Requirement
Evaluation or assessment
Recognition without evaluation
Emotional Context
Tied to self-worth and esteem
Coming to terms with reality
Social Context
Seeking validation
Seeking inclusion
Formal Context
Official consent or endorsement
Receipt of something
Compare with Definitions
Approval
The action of formally recognizing or accrediting something.
The software received FDA approval for medical use.
Acceptance
Acknowledgment or recognition of a reality.
His acceptance of the situation allowed him to move forward.
Approval
An expression of favorable acceptance and encouragement; a compliment that also condones.
Words of approval never seem to come from him.
Acceptance
Acceptance in human psychology is a person's assent to the reality of a situation, recognizing a process or condition (often a negative or uncomfortable situation) without attempting to change it or protest it. The concept is close in meaning to acquiescence, derived from the Latin acquiēscere (to find rest in).
Approval
Official consent or endorsement.
The committee gave its approval for the new project.
Acceptance
State of being accepted; acceptableness.
Approval
The act of confirming or agreeing to something.
The contract is pending approval from the legal department.
Acceptance
(contract law) words signifying consent to the terms of an offer (thereby creating a contract)
Approval
A positive judgment or opinion.
Her innovative ideas met with widespread approval.
Acceptance
An assent and engagement by the person on whom a bill of exchange is drawn, to pay it when due according to the terms of the acceptance.
Approval
The act or an instance of approving.
Acceptance
An agreeing to terms or proposals by which a bargain is concluded and the parties are bound; the reception or taking of a thing bought as that for which it was bought, or as that agreed to be delivered, or the taking possession as owner.
Approval
A feeling of liking something or someone good;
Although she fussed at them, she secretly viewed all her children with approval
Acceptance
An agreeing to the action of another, by some act which binds the person in law.
Approval
The formal act of giving approval;
He gave the project his blessing
His decision merited the approval of any sensible person
Acceptance
Agreement or consent to something.
Their acceptance of the terms ensured a peaceful negotiation.
Approval
Acceptance as satisfactory;
He bought it on approval
Acceptance
Inclusion or acknowledgment in a group.
The new members were greeted with warmth and acceptance.
Approval
A feeling of favor or positive regard.
She nodded in approval at the well-organized presentation.
Acceptance
The action of consenting to receive or undertake something offered
Charges involving the acceptance of bribes
Approval
An official approbation; a sanction.
Acceptance
The process or fact of being received as adequate, valid, or suitable
You must wait for acceptance into the village
Approval
Favorable regard; commendation.
Acceptance
Agreement with or belief in an idea or explanation
Acceptance of the teaching of the Church
Approval
An expression granting permission; an indication of agreement with a proposal; an acknowledgement that a person, thing, or event meets requirements.
I need to get an approval on this purchase order.
Acceptance
The act of taking something offered
The acceptance of a new job.
Approval
Something mailed by a seller to a collector to match their stated interests; the collector can approve of or return the item.
Acceptance
The act of admitting to a group or organization
Acceptance of new members into the club.
Approval
Approbation; sanction.
A censor . . . without whose approval n capital sentences are to be executed.
Acceptance
A notification that someone or something has been accepted
Received an acceptance from her first-choice college.
Approval
A message expressing a favorable opinion;
Words of approval seldom passed his lips
Acceptance
Favorable reception; approval
Acceptance of seat belts among the public has greatly reduced injuries in car accidents.
Acceptance
Belief in something; agreement
Acceptance of the new theory has been slow.
Acceptance
A formal indication by a debtor of willingness to pay a draft or bill of exchange.
Acceptance
An instrument so accepted, especially a bankers' acceptance.
Acceptance
(Law) The demonstration of agreement with the terms and conditions of another's offer so that the offer becomes a contract between the two parties.
Acceptance
(uncountable) The act of accepting; the receiving of something offered, with acquiescence, approbation, or satisfaction; especially, favourable reception; approval.
The acceptance of a gift, office, doctrine, etc.
Acceptance
(countable) An instance of that act.
Acceptance
The state of being accepted.
Acceptance
The usual or accepted meaning of a word or expression.
Acceptance
An assent and engagement by the person on whom a bill of exchange is drawn, to pay it when due according to the terms of the acceptance; the bill of exchange itself when accepted.
Acceptance
(law) An agreeing to the action, proposals, or terms of another by some act which results in the conclusion of a legally binding contract; the reception or taking of a thing bought as that for which it was bought, or as that agreed to be delivered, or the taking of possession of a thing as owner.
Acceptance
The act of an authorized representative of the government by which the government assents to ownership of existing and identified supplies, or approves specific services rendered, as partial or complete performance of a contract.
Acceptance
A list of horses accepted as starters in a race.
Acceptance
(optics) etendue.
Acceptance
The act of accepting; a receiving what is offered, with approbation, satisfaction, or acquiescence; esp., favorable reception; approval; as, the acceptance of a gift, office, doctrine, etc.
They shall come up with acceptance on mine altar.
Acceptance
Meaning; acceptation.
Acceptance
The mental attitude that something is believable and should be accepted as true;
He gave credence to the gossip
Acceptance of Newtonian mechanics was unquestioned for 200 years
Acceptance
The act of accepting with approval; favorable reception;
Its adoption by society
The proposal found wide acceptance
Acceptance
The state of being acceptable and accepted;
Torn jeans received no acceptance at the country club
Acceptance
Banking: a time draft drawn on and accepted by a bank
Acceptance
A disposition to tolerate or accept people or situations;
All people should practice toleration and live together in peace
Acceptance
The act of taking something that is offered;
Her acceptance of the gift encouraged him
He anticipated their acceptance of his offer
Acceptance
A formal act of agreeing to take something.
The acceptance of the proposal marked the start of a new venture.
Acceptance
Belief in something; agreement, assent.
Acceptance
The act of receiving or taking something offered.
She smiled in gratitude at the acceptance of her gift.
Common Curiosities
What does approval mean in a formal context?
Approval in a formal context often refers to official consent or endorsement, such as granting permission for a particular action or project.
How does acceptance differ from approval in emotional contexts?
Acceptance in emotional contexts is about recognizing and coming to terms with one's feelings or situations, irrespective of external validation. Approval, on the other hand, is tied to seeking external validation to bolster self-worth and esteem.
How does acceptance play a role in psychological healing?
Acceptance is a key component of many psychological healing processes, as it involves acknowledging one's feelings and circumstances and finding peace with them, without necessarily seeking external validation.
Can something be accepted without approval?
Yes, something can be accepted without necessarily being approved. Acceptance can mean simply acknowledging or receiving something, without passing judgment on its merits.
Is seeking approval always tied to self-esteem?
While approval can often be tied to self-worth and esteem, it's not always the case. People might seek approval for various reasons, including adhering to societal norms or fulfilling official requirements.
Can approval be implied rather than explicitly stated?
Yes, approval can be implied through actions, gestures, or non-verbal cues even if it's not explicitly stated.
Is acceptance always a positive reaction?
Not necessarily. Acceptance can be neutral, merely an acknowledgment of a reality. It doesn't always convey agreement or positive regard.
Why is self-acceptance considered crucial for mental well-being?
Self-acceptance allows individuals to embrace their true selves, recognizing both strengths and flaws. It promotes a healthy self-image, reduces internal conflict, and contributes to overall mental well-being.
How does societal approval impact individual behavior?
Societal approval can greatly influence individual behavior, as many people conform to societal norms and values to gain acceptance and avoid social sanctions.
Can a project be accepted but not approved in a business context?
Yes, a project can be received or acknowledged (accepted) without getting the official go-ahead (approval) in a business context.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
