approve
verb (used with object)
to speak or think favorably of; pronounce or consider agreeable or good; judge favorably.
approvingly
-
a word derived from
approve.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Speaking to BBC-produced Newyddion S4C, external from New York, Charles said his wife Katherine would "smile approvingly and knowingly".
From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026
Mr. Emanuel approvingly cites the late Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin’s dictum to “fight terrorism as if there’s no peace process, and work to achieve peace as if there’s no terror.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026
Even then, though, the court did not commit itself entirely: Chief Justice John Roberts’ majority opinion approvingly quoted Harlan, but stopped short of announcing that colorblindness was now the law.
From Slate ● Jun. 22, 2026
My great-uncle, a traditional yellow-dog Democrat who was born during the Depression and named for Franklin Roosevelt, predicted approvingly that Jackson would “light a fire” under the audience.
From Salon ● Feb. 19, 2026
He looked sideways to see if Jaja and I were singing and nodded approvingly when he saw our sealed lips.
From "Purple Hibiscus" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
