approving 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈprü-viŋ How to pronounce approving (audio)
Definition of approvingnext
as in favorable
expressing approval the play did not receive a single approving notice

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

approving

2 of 2

verb

present participle of approve
as in ratifying
to give official acceptance of as satisfactory as soon as the pond project was approved, the bulldozers were at the site

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 approving
Adjective
The new mayor even received approving nods from some of his critics. — Chantelle Lee, Time, 26 Jan. 2026 My hostess stands in the middle of her guests and offers me the slightest of nods, the quick upward pull of an approving smile. — Danielle Parker, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026
Verb
By approving the permit, the city contends, regulators allowed the company to violate another state rule meant to protect public water wells from commercial disposal sites. — Nick Bowlin, ProPublica, 30 June 2026 Those discussions moved forward, with the Eagan City Council eventually approving a contentious land-use amendment, which was met with swift pushback from the community. — Mars King, Twin Cities, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for approving
Recent Examples of Synonyms for approving
  1. favorable
  2. ratifying
  3. positive
  4. confirming
  5. good
  6. finalizing
  7. authorizing
  8. endorsing
Adjective
  • That combination of clear skies, dry air and terrain can produce dramatic overnight lows in the 20s and 30s — and in especially favorable setups, even colder readings in localized spots like the one near Kirk, Oregon.
    — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • Similarly, Sullivan and Hafley appear to have favorable view about Rodriguez’s ability to wear the green dot.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
Definition of favorable
Verb
  • During that ratifying convention, Wilson also argued that the franchise should extend broadly, beyond just property owners.
    — Jesse Wegman, The Atlantic, 20 June 2026
  • Both resolutions, ratifying the clerk-treasurer’s office policies and procedures and the public comment policy, will be brought back up at the council’s July meeting.
    — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2026
Definition of ratifying
Adjective
  • The bat was captured and later tested positive for rabies, allowing doctors to begin the girl's post-exposure vaccination series quickly.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • The report comes with Federal Reserve policymakers expressing mixed feelings about the economy – mostly positive on growth though apprehensive on inflation as earlier fears about weakness in the labor market have eased.
    — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 2 July 2026
Definition of positive
Verb
  • Almost too perfectly, a news release confirming the nuptials was sent out as rain started pouring and a sense of calm enveloped the area.
    — Gordon Ebanks, CNN Money, 3 July 2026
  • Several members of Congress also attended, with the discussion centered on the national security, economic, religious and social implications of confirming that UAPs are alien or even extra-dimensional in origin.
    — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 2 July 2026
Definition of confirming
Adjective
  • The next best thing to intravenous intervention when dehydrated is Liquid IV.
    — Abbey Hudetz, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
  • Our best guess is that there might be a little bit of recognition for the youngest generations, too, watching all those clips — as in, Holy cow, Austin Powers was real!
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 7 July 2026
Definition of good
Verb
  • Political conventions during presidential election years are technically how parties conduct business such as finalizing their platform and nominating the presidential and vice presidential candidates.
    — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2026
  • The series will include two additional books; Yarros is currently drafting the fourth volume and finalizing the plot for the fifth and concluding installment.
    — Janey Wetzel, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026
Definition of finalizing
Verb
  • However, because agentic systems can execute actions independently, an error can become a severe operational failure, such as authorizing fraudulent transactions or deleting mission-critical databases.
    — Barney Krishnan, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • Rather than authorizing private helipads citywide, the amendment would apply only to the industrial zoning district on Terminal Island, where Griffin’s marina is under construction.
    — Luisa Yanez, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
Definition of authorizing
Verb
  • In that election, the president made another last-minute entry for the three-term congressman, endorsing Feenstra four days before the election against Lahn, who edged out the win by less 1 percentage point.
    — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 27 June 2026
  • Supergirl, a more prominent character than usual, is badly damaged from the attempt, which does not feature Gunn writing or directing, only jubilantly endorsing what is an extremely subpar film.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
Definition of endorsing

Browse Nearby Words

approves (of)
approving
approvingly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Approving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/approving. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on approving

Nglish: Translation of approving for Spanish Speakers

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