as in favorable
expressing approval
the play did not receive a single approving notice
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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.
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Recent Examples of approving
Eric Kober, Washington Post, 22 Jan. 2026
The real dog sniffed Jennie and gave an approving tail wag.
—Rena Goldman, EverydayHealth.com, 7 Jan. 2026
Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 2 May 2026
Hialeah has maintained the same property-tax millage rate for more than 15 years, despite nearly approving a reduction last year during a heated election cycle under former mayor Jacqueline García-Roves’s administration.
—Veronica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for approving
Adjective
The relevant approving agency then determines whether the project could cause significant environmental impacts, a process that typically takes about a year.
—Eric Kober, Washington Post, 22 Jan. 2026
The real dog sniffed Jennie and gave an approving tail wag.
—Rena Goldman, EverydayHealth.com, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
The Riverside County Board of Supervisors took a similar step last month, approving a set of regulations to deter the sale and marketing of kratom.
—Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 2 May 2026
Hialeah has maintained the same property-tax millage rate for more than 15 years, despite nearly approving a reduction last year during a heated election cycle under former mayor Jacqueline García-Roves’s administration.
—Veronica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for approving
Recent Examples of Synonyms for approving
Adjective
-
If a member school’s athletic department desperately needs a line of credit, the university can arrange a more favorable one.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 May 2026
-
Surfers competed in the finals of their respective classes, again in less-than-favorable conditions.—
Tony Le Calvez,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Workers represented by United Steelworkers Local 12775 are headed back to work at NIPSCO, after ratifying a new contract with the utility.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Last April, the union celebrated when Atlanta City Council passed a resolution ratifying the first-of-its-kind collective bargaining agreement.—
Riley Bunch,
AJC.com,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Some are backing away from exclusionary discipline like suspensions and expulsions and have embraced schoolwide approaches that reward positive behavior and provide social skills practice through games and role-playing.—
Stacker,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
-
Still, analysts have been ratcheting higher expectations on certain names — suggesting positive momentum is on their side.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
The website instructs guests not to go to the airport, confirming that the airline carrier has officially shut down and all flights are cancelled.—
Kaitlyn McCormick,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
-
On Tuesday, May 5, the Mahwah Health Department issued a health alert on social media, confirming that a beaver had tested positive for rabies and that those bitten were receiving treatment.—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
While the new stadium deal has generated a lot of good press in the days since it was announced, both Swanston and Singh acknowledge that things are extremely early in the process.—
P.R. Lockhart,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
-
Illinois Wesleyan recruit Conor McCabe went 2-for-4 and delivered a three-run double in the fifth inning to put the Knights (13-11, 6-5) ahead for good.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
The Los Angeles Police Department and Department of Transportation are expected to report on existing regulations on the use of electric bikes in the city, and assist with finalizing fines.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
2 May 2026
-
Poehler and Arnett welcomed two children together, sons Archie and Abel, before separating in 2012 and finalizing their divorce in 2016.—
Sophie Dodd,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Most states had been authorizing marijuana for medical use even before the rescheduling, and nearly half of all states also say recreational use is OK.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
-
Wilson initially refused to appear in court, declining to be transported from jail and prompting a judge to issue a rare warrant authorizing authorities to use force to bring him in, KTTV reported.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Huang isn’t just a partner endorsing a partner.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
6 May 2026
-
Trump responded by endorsing challengers to state GOP lawmakers who voted against redistricting — and those candidates won on May 5.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Approving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/approving. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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