What is the Difference Between Approve and Authorize?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The difference between "approve" and "authorize" lies in the context and level of involvement in the action being discussed. Here are the key distinctions:
- Approve:
- Means to confirm, ratify, or sanction officially, or to commend or regard as good.
- Represents an expression of acceptance towards a favorable or pleasing thing or action.
- Involves an affirmation from a detached viewpoint, where the approver has no real direct involvement with the subject.
- Examples include approving a budget, a new policy, or a contract.
- Authorize:
- Means to give authority or official power to; empower.
- Involves an approval and, at the same time, a proactive extension of power for the purpose of pursuing what is being approved.
- Requires a close involvement between the authorizer and the one being authorized.
- Examples include authorizing a payment, a decision, or a course of action.
In summary, "approve" refers to the act of giving permission or confirming something, while "authorize" involves giving someone the go-ahead and the necessary power or authority to act.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Approve and Authorize? Comparative Table: Approve vs Authorize
Comparative Table: Approve vs Authorize
The difference between "approve" and "authorize" lies in the level of involvement and the context in which they are used. Here is a summary of the differences:
Difference | Description |
---|---|
Definition | To approve means to confirm, ratify, or sanction officially, or to commend or regard as good. To authorize means to empower, providing approval and an active extension of power for the purpose of pursuing what is being approved. |
Context | Approval is an affirmation from a detached viewpoint, while authorization has a more apparent and direct involvement. |
Level of Involvement | With approval, there is a virtual distance between the person approving and what is being approved, and the approver has no real direct involvement. In contrast, authorization involves a close relationship between the authorizer and the person being authorized. |
Please note that these definitions and distinctions are based on the English language and may not apply to other languages or specific contexts.
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