approvingly

adverb

Definition of approvinglynext
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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for approvingly
  1. positively
  2. favorably
Adverb
  • Kopple’s Hamptons—even with its endless velvet ropes and parties and Jacuzzis—is positively quaint in comparison.
    — Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Yet, last year an NBC poll found that only18% of Americans viewed socialism positively.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of positively
Adverb
  • California voters feel most favorably toward progressive political candidates, with less enthusiasm for mainstream Democrats.
    — Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • They are frequently shaped by conscious and unconscious biases, workplace politics and whether an employee is viewed favorably by leadership.
    — Lauren Russell, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of favorably

Browse Nearby Words

approving
approvingly
approving (of)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Approvingly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/approvingly. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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