approving 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈprü-viŋ How to pronounce approving (audio)
Definition of approvingnext
as in favorable
expressing approval the play did not receive a single approving notice

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

approving

2 of 2

verb

present participle of approve
as in ratifying
to give official acceptance of as satisfactory as soon as the pond project was approved, the bulldozers were at the site

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 approving
Adjective
Leaders spend less time approving and more time setting direction and context. — Anna Drobakha, Forbes.com, 19 May 2026 My hostess stands in the middle of her guests and offers me the slightest of nods, the quick upward pull of an approving smile. — Danielle Parker, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026
Verb
The council then has the final say in approving — or rejecting — Lucas’ nomination. — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026 The league penalized Frank for his involvement with the impermissible endorsement arrangements and for approving impermissible expenses incurred by Leonard and his family. — ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for approving
Recent Examples of Synonyms for approving
  1. favorable
  2. ratifying
  3. positive
  4. confirming
  5. good
  6. finalizing
  7. authorizing
  8. endorsing
Adjective
  • Higher values are more favorable for a team’s fantasy players.
    — Jake Ciely, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • As for Democrats, only 22% in his home state now have a favorable view of him.
    — Maham Javaid, NPR, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of favorable
Verb
  • Hence, the National Players Basketball Association plans to talk with the NBA about ratifying the CBA to alter spending restrictions.
    — Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The European Union and the United States took one ultra-laborious step forward in ratifying their bilateral trade deal in late June.
    — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 23 July 2026
Definition of ratifying
Adjective
  • The aunties play an enormous role in Delbar and Mansur’s outing (and, in ways both positive and painful, in their flight from America and Iran, respectively).
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Chris Coduto / Getty Images Internally, Suzuki is viewed as a consistent and positive presence whom the players admire.
    — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of positive
Verb
  • The previous day, Ukrainian forces struck an oil refinery more than 3,000 kilometers (1,800 miles) from Ukraine in Siberia, Ukraine’s General Staff said, confirming earlier reports.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The memorandum begins a technical evaluation rather than confirming flight tests or launches.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of confirming
Adjective
  • Jarren Duran hit his 20th homer, a solo shot on the first pitch from Grayson Rodriguez (4-7), to spark a four-run second inning for Boston, which improved to an MLB-best 34-17 since the All-Star break.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 2026
  • General manager Andrew Berry and his staff have done a good job cleaning up their own mess caused by the 2022 Watson trade sinking the ship.
    — Zac Jackson, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of good
Verb
  • The film was originally slated for a Halloween 2026 release date before finalizing its Valentine’s Day premiere.
    — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Executives, analysts and scouts throughout the sport are spending the final few weeks of the regular season finalizing their valuations and target lists and ranking the potential free agents in the 2026-2027 class.
    — Jim Bowden, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of finalizing
Verb
  • In July, the Western District of Louisiana issued an order authorizing the court, instead of the habeas petitioners, to serve defendants copies of the lawsuit.
    — Carla Astudillo, ProPublica, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Lawmakers unanimously approved a bill authorizing the $1 increase in 2023, as thefts were surging across the state, according to The Texas Tribune.
    — Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of authorizing
Verb
  • George Clooney has also defended Ruffalo’s right to speak out while stopping short of endorsing all of his claims.
    — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Leonard did little if any endorsing, collected the extra checks, and essentially was paid above and beyond the salary cap.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of endorsing

Browse Nearby Words

approves (of)
approving
approvingly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Approving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/approving. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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