APPROVINGLY Synonyms: 20 Similar and Opposite Words

approvingly

adverb

Definition of approvingly

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 Ervit Hernández Hernández, founder of Chima Cacao, smiles approvingly. — Alfredo Sosa, Christian Science Monitor, 22 Aug. 2026 Jason looked on approvingly as Travis made his Saturday Night Live hosting debut back in March 2023. — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026 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 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 Kors looked on approvingly as Murphy posed on the hotel’s lawn in one of his designs, a summery black dress. — Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019

Recent Examples of Synonyms for approvingly

Adverb

Some sources expand on the account in Genesis, suggesting the Sodomites were not only immoral but positively antimoral.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
Still, plenty of performances jumped out from Week 1, both positively and negatively.

— Daniel Popper, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of positively

Adverb

Both politicians polled more favorably with women and younger to middle-aged voters.

— Terry Collins, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2026
Although the assessment is a critical tool, a player may still have a concussion despite completing the assessment favorably to the baseline.

— Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2026

Definition of favorably

Browse Nearby Words

approving

approvingly

approving (of)

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Style

“Approvingly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/approvingly. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of approvingly

adverb

Example Sentences

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