approving

1.3

Showing that you like and accept someone or something

adjective
/əˈpruːvɪŋ/

: aprobatorio

You're tacitly approving that standard from their side.
less approving

And that was spun as me being approving or supportive of whatever happened next.

Examples

But those teams have got bigger, which has meant that I'm approving more capacity of people's work.
It's a really helpful safety net in society because if you're out there all by yourself with no one approving of you, uh oh.
Specifically, Californians perceived less risk of harm in occasional marijuana use, were more approving of marijuana legalization and use for medicinal purposes, but were less approving of marijuana use.

Academic text (2004)
The teacher gave an approving nod when she saw the students collaborating on their project.
She received an approving glance from her boss after presenting her innovative ideas.
Many voters were approving of the new policies aimed at improving public health.

Synonyms

affirmative

vsapproving

324 4.1

Showing agreement or approval, like saying yes

focuses on praise or acceptance rather than just a yes response

affirmatory

vsapproving

1 7.4

Expressing approval or agreement

is about praise and broader acceptance rather than only assent

approbatory

vsapproving

Formal

8.9

Showing approval or praise for something

is broader, also including acceptance rather than only strong praise

approbative

vsapproving

Formal

8.8

Showing praise or approval

is broader, covering acceptance as well as praise

plausive

vsapproving

9.9

Showing praise or approval

shows approval more generally without the same loud enthusiasm

praising

vsapproving

2.1

Showing approval and admiration for someone or their work

expresses approval but is less intense and more neutral

Antonyms

disapproving

5 3.4

Showing that you do not agree with or like something

How Approving

praising

2.1

approving

1.3

neutral

218 3.6

disapproving

5 3.4

Surface Forms

approving positive

Morphology

approving = approve (transparent) = approve + ing

The adjective 'approving' is a standard participial adjective formed from the verb 'approve' and directly expresses showing approval.

Etymology

Approving comes from approve, which is built from ad- 'to' and probare 'to test' and is like the English word prove. So, to be approving is to show you think something has been tested and is good, which is why an approving nod or smile means praise or acceptance.