Crossword Genius

Unfortunately, son, I can't approve (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sanction

'approve' is the definition.
(I know that sanction is a type of approve)

'unfortunately son i can't' is the wordplay.
'unfortunately' is an anagram indicator (a bad or unfortunate spelling).
'son'+'i'+'cant'='sonicant'
'sonicant' anagrammed gives 'SANCTION'.

(Other definitions for sanction that I've seen before include "Threatened penalty; official permission" , "Endorsement" , "OK" , "Authorisation" , "Official permission or authority" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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