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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of approvingly
My father approvingly walked to the curb to examine Paul’s new BMW.
—
Literary Hub,
18 June 2026
Crosby, who has won nearly every NHL award there is to win except for a Lady Byng Trophy, stood a few feet away, looking on approvingly before joining the scrum.
—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
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
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
Literary Hub,
18 June 2026
Crosby, who has won nearly every NHL award there is to win except for a Lady Byng Trophy, stood a few feet away, looking on approvingly before joining the scrum.
—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
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
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
-
Staff for Democratic Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, the president-elect, responded positively March 30.
-
In fact, over two-thirds of Democrats view socialism more positively than capitalism.
Adverb
-
If the balance sheet is sound, management incentives are improving and a credible catalyst exists, the uncertainty may resolve more favorably than the valuation assumes.
-
The House bill was reported favorably by the Ways and Means committee in March.
Cite this Entry
“Approvingly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/approvingly. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
