as in positively
in an approving manner
she smiled approvingly at the child who was performing onstage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of approvingly
In the past, when tech companies laid off employees, the markets reacted approvingly.
—
Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 24 Apr. 2026
The Queen smiled approvingly at Charles and his new bride, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall (now Queen Camilla).
—Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
Pynchon is clearly a huge fan of detective fiction and quotes approvingly from the genre while not quite wanting to immerse himself fully within it.
—Literary Hub, 10 Dec. 2025
Rotwood approvingly sees no such sentimentality in Wednesday.
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
Behind you, the fountain burbles approvingly.
—Mackenzie Chung Fegan, San Francisco Chronicle, 20 June 2024
Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 24 Apr. 2026
The Queen smiled approvingly at Charles and his new bride, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall (now Queen Camilla).
—Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
Pynchon is clearly a huge fan of detective fiction and quotes approvingly from the genre while not quite wanting to immerse himself fully within it.
—Literary Hub, 10 Dec. 2025
Rotwood approvingly sees no such sentimentality in Wednesday.
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
Behind you, the fountain burbles approvingly.
—Mackenzie Chung Fegan, San Francisco Chronicle, 20 June 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for approvingly
Adverb
-
With her backless white Stella McCartney gown, halo of curls and tiara, Kate Hudson looked positively angelic at the 2003 Met Gala.—
Alex Apatoff,
PEOPLE,
2 May 2026
-
According to court documents, both female victims positively identified Anderson as the woman who assaulted them.—
Alexa Ashwell,
Baltimore Sun,
1 May 2026
Adverb
-
But in spite of all that love for royalty, that same YouGov poll found only 42% of Americans view King Charles III favorably; Camilla clocks in at 30% approval.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Most Britons aren't viewing the king's trip favorably.—
Kathryn Watson,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Approvingly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/approvingly. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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