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

As for why the driver has not been publicly identified, Barnes said police have positively identified him.

— Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
That in-between space might hold the real reason many culture change initiatives never reach the people they are intended to positively affect.

— Gwen Mdinaradze, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of positively

Adverb

If the incoming eruptions interact favorably with Earth's magnetic field, auroras could potentially reach much farther south than currently anticipated.

— Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Its output and performance numbers compared favorably to the Lamborghini Revuelto, but at just a fraction of the price.

— Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of favorably

Browse Nearby Words

approving

approvingly

approving (of)

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Approvingly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/approvingly. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of approvingly

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

inscrutable

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes