" approvingly "

1: in an approving manner;

  * e.g., " ... she smiled approvingly at the child who was performing onstage "

•  Synonyms : 

•  admiringly,

•  appreciatively,

•  complimentarily,

•  favorably,

•  positively

•  Antonyms : 

•  adversely,

•  disapprovingly,

•  negatively,

•  unfavorably

1: to give official acceptance of as satisfactory;

  * e.g., " ... as soon as the pond project was approved, the bulldozers were at the site "

•  Synonyms : 

•  accredit,

•  approbate,

•  authorize,

•  clear,

•  confirm,

•  finalize,

•  formalize,

•  homologate,

•  OK,

•  ratify,

•  sanction,

•  warrant

•  Antonyms : 

•  decline,

•  deny,

•  disallow,

•  disapprove,

•  negative,

•  reject,

•  turn down,

•  veto

1: to have a favorable opinion of;

  * e.g., " ... we don't approve of people who stand in the 12 items or less lane with 13 items "

•  Synonyms : 

•  accept,

•  care (for),

•  countenance,

•  favor,

•  OK,

•  subscribe (to)

•  Antonyms : 

•  disapprove (of),

•  discountenance,

•  disfavor,

•  frown (on or upon)

1: to give official acceptance of as satisfactory;

  * e.g., " ... as soon as the pond project was approved, the bulldozers were at the site "

•  Synonyms : 

•  accrediting,

•  approbating,

•  authorizing,

•  clearing,

•  confirming,

•  finalizing,

•  formalizing,

•  homologating,

•  OK'ing,

•  ratifying,

•  sanctioning,

•  warranting

•  Antonyms : 

•  declining,

•  denying,

•  disallowing,

•  disapproving,

•  negativing,

•  rejecting,

•  turning down,

•  vetoing

1: expressing approval;

  * e.g., " ... the play did not receive a single approving notice "

•  Synonyms : 

•  admiring,

•  applauding,

•  appreciative,

•  approbatory,

•  commendatory,

•  complimentary,

•  favorable,

•  friendly,

•  good,

•  positive

•  Antonyms : 

•  adverse,

•  depreciative,

•  depreciatory,

•  derogatory,

•  disapproving,

•  inappreciative,

•  negative,

•  unappreciative,

•  uncomplimentary,

•  unfavorable,

•  unflattering,

•  unfriendly