approbatory

8.9

Showing approval or praise for something

adjective
/ˌæprəˈboʊtəri/

Formal

: aprobatorio

Custance's response is playful and approbatory: "But since we are not allowed to send pictures that depict violence through the mail, we shall be compelled to keep the picture in storage for the time being."

Examples

The committee's approbatory letter praised the organization for its outstanding community service.
His approbatory remarks about her performance boosted her confidence before the interview.
The teacher gave an approbatory nod when she heard the student's presentation was well-researched.

Synonyms

appreciative

vsapprobatory

56 3.2

Showing thanks for someone's help or a gift

expresses explicit approval or praise rather than gratitude or valuation

complimentary

vsapprobatory

18 4.2

Saying good things about someone to show you admire them

is broader approval not limited to single verbal compliments

congratulatory

vsapprobatory

14 4.1

Showing praise and happiness for someone's success or good news

is general approval not limited to praise for success or fortune

laudatory

vsapprobatory

3 8.1

Showing praise for a person or thing

is general praise without being especially formal or ceremonious

approbative

vsapprobatory

Formal

8.8

Showing praise or approval

is identical in meaning but differs only as an alternate adjective form

plausive

vsapprobatory

9.9

Showing praise or approval

focuses on general approval rather than energetic public commendation

approving

vsapprobatory

1.3

Showing that you like and accept someone or something

places more emphasis on praise than on mere acceptance

commendatory

vsapprobatory

Literature

7.5

Showing praise for someone or something

is a general expression of approval rather than focusing on a specific person

praiseful

vsapprobatory

6.6

Showing approval by saying good things about someone or their work

expresses approval but may be less intensely full of praise

praising

vsapprobatory

2.1

Showing approval and admiration for someone or their work

is about expressing approval in general rather than continuous active praise

encomiastic

vsapprobatory

Formal

9.9

Expressing strong praise, often in formal language

is neutral praise used in ordinary contexts rather than elaborate ceremony

eulogistic

vsapprobatory

Formal

8.9

Being full of praise for someone, often in a formal way

is general approval not tied to formal commemorative speech

panegyrical

vsapprobatory

Formal

9.9

Giving very strong praise in a formal speech or writing

is simpler praise used in ordinary speech instead of ornate ceremony

gratulatory

vsapprobatory

8.1

Showing pleasure and praise for someone's success or good news

focuses on success or luck praise rather than general approval in all situations

How Approving

glowing

5 4.0

laudatory

3 8.1

approbatory

Formal

8.9

approving

1.3

favorable

62 2.8

Surface Forms

approbatory positive

Morphology

approbatory = approve + approbation (semi-transparent) = approb + atory

The adjective expresses approval and is related to 'approve'/'approbation', but the Latinate stem 'approb-' and the formal suffix '-atory' are less transparent to average learners.

Etymology

The word approbatory comes from Latin approbare, made of ap- 'to' and prob 'good' or 'prove', and it shares the same root as the common word approve. So, an approbatory smile or comment is one that shows approval or praise.