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
By approving the permit, the city contends, regulators allowed the company to violate another state rule meant to protect public water wells from commercial disposal sites. — Nick Bowlin, ProPublica, 30 June 2026 Residents had written in with concerns about safety and noise, and the local community board had voted, twenty-two to fourteen, with one abstention, against approving the venue’s application. — Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 29 June 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
  • Gaps in disclosure have prompted calls to reform the ethics and lobbying laws so that the public can easily see who is providing the expensive perks to state officials who have the power to reward them with favorable legislation and other actions.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 15 July 2026
  • Those numbers changed considerably when broken down by political party, with Republicans having a more favorable view of the economy than Democrats.
    — Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
Definition of favorable
Verb
  • During that ratifying convention, Wilson also argued that the franchise should extend broadly, beyond just property owners.
    — Jesse Wegman, The Atlantic, 20 June 2026
  • Both resolutions, ratifying the clerk-treasurer’s office policies and procedures and the public comment policy, will be brought back up at the council’s July meeting.
    — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2026
Definition of ratifying
Adjective
  • Vanessa Haydon hasn’t given an update on her battle with breast cancer in a few weeks, but the news is apparently positive.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
  • One out of five patients presenting to emergency departments screens positive for food insecurity across multiple urban studies.
    — Cole Hanson, STAT, 16 July 2026
Definition of positive
Verb
  • Genetic tests can detect Klinefelter disease, for instance, confirming an explanation for low testosterone levels.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 17 July 2026
  • Bhasin helped write the Endocrine Society’s current guidelines for testosterone, which recommend discussing testosterone with men who have documented symptoms and two blood test results confirming low hormone levels.
    — Matthew Perrone, Fortune, 16 July 2026
Definition of confirming
Adjective
  • From here, the Manchester City defender sprints into the six-yard box to meet the corner, forcing a good save from Dominik Livakovic, with his team-mates unable to scramble the ball over the line.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 14 July 2026
  • Graham, who had turned 71 just two days before passing away on Saturday night, was far younger than many of his Senate colleagues and appeared to have been in good health.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 July 2026
Definition of good
Verb
  • Next steps include creating an advisory council of educators, youth and other stakeholders; finalizing a calendar; and confirming the lease and renovations with the county.
    — Laura Horne, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2026
  • The project is currently in the design phase, with architects finalizing plans before permitting and groundbreaking.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026
Definition of finalizing
Verb
  • But a few years ago, as the FDA considered authorizing Zyn products, a company scientist told an agency toxicologist the pouches did dissolve.
    — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 14 July 2026
  • At least once a day, however, an ICE officer would peek in to ask who was ready to sign the papers authorizing their deportation.
    — Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 13 July 2026
Definition of authorizing
Verb
  • Traditionally, Republicans have been skeptical of endorsing tax increases, while Democrats have been critical of calls to raise the age of Social Security eligibility.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 July 2026
  • Highlighting someone’s not the same as endorsing them, right?
    — Matt Thompson, SPIN, 13 July 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 18 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of approving for Spanish Speakers

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