Skip to main content
approvingly

approvingly

7 3.4
In a way that shows approval
  • adverb
  • /əˈpruːvɪŋli/
translation icon : con aprobación
  • Hammond looks around the trailer approvingly at the enormous amount of work the bones represent.
  • nodded approvingly
  • noted approvingly
  • commented approvingly

Examples

  • Cardoc nodded at her approvingly, his gaze lingering perhaps a moment too long.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • "And well he did so," he said approvingly, inspecting the scar.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Annie walks off back the way she came, looking at Bean approvingly over her shoulder. # David #

    Fiction book (1997)
  • Even Mother Karjalainen spoke approvingly of it, and you know that she's not one to praise anything!

    Fiction book (1992)
  • The authors generally note approvingly the South's newfound commitment to education.

    Academic text (2003)
  • Incredibly, the other guests had smiled approvingly at her spontaneity and her obvious affection for her husband.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Murphy eyed her approvingly as she chatted with several members of the press corps.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Even as early as the Suez crisis, you were nodding approvingly: "They're beginning to learn."

    Fiction book (1994)
  • The administrator nodded approvingly at the thorough, in-depth examination the MU was performing.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • The manager smiled approvingly when she saw the team's successful project presentation.

Synonyms

positively
vsapprovingly
97 2.6

In a way that shows approval or support

focuses on praise without the extra confident tone
enthusiastically
vsapprovingly
37 3.5

In a way that shows strong interest and excitement

expresses approval in a calmer less eager way
favorably
vsapprovingly
  • US
36 2.3

In a way that shows approval or support

shows praise more directly rather than offering general backing
affirmatively
vsapprovingly
8 4.8

In a way that shows agreement or approval

shows praise more explicitly rather than merely expressing agreement
admiringly
vsapprovingly
4 3.6

In a way that shows respect and liking for someone or something

shows praise or approval more directly than respect
glowingly
vsapprovingly
3 4.7

To say good things about someone because you admire them

shows approval with a milder less enthusiastic tone

Antonyms

19 2.8

In a way that shows you do not approve or accept something

In a way that shows you do not agree with or like something

How Approving

warmly
39 1.0
approvingly
7 3.4

Surface Forms

approvingly positive

Morphology

approvingly = approving (transparent) = approve + ing + ly

Formed by adding the adverbial suffix '-ly' to 'approving' to mean 'in an approving manner', which is a regular and predictable derivation.

Etymology

Approvingly comes from approve, which originally meant 'to prove' or 'show as good' and is the same root as the word prove. So to smile or nod approvingly is to show you think something is good or that you like it.