Word family noun approval ≠ disapproval adjective approving ≠ disapproving approved verb approve ≠ disapprove adverb approvingly ≠ disapprovingly
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishapprovingap‧prov‧ing /əˈpruːvɪŋ/ adjective APPROVEshowing support or agreement for something OPP disapprovingan approving nod/glance/smile etc —approvingly adverb She smiled approvingly at the child.Examples from the Corpus
approving• He may not run to leather elbow patches, but during the Kincardine by-election, reports from several sides were very approving.• Alan Watkins, who was awaiting the arrival of the Chancellor himself, gave Amaranth his approving eye.• an approving look• Even the lady who stood on the corner handing out white feathers gave him an approving nod.• Not everyone was wholly approving of Wigg's activities in relation to Profumo - and indeed on many other matters.• Practice is interpreted as repetition, and feedback consists mainly of approving reactions from the teacher.• When Suor Eusebia saw me she greeted me with an approving smile.• Again she heard the boys' warm approving voices, voices that left her outside the heat of that dangerous moment.an approving nod/glance/smile etc• Even the lady who stood on the corner handing out white feathers gave him an approving nod.• When Suor Eusebia saw me she greeted me with an approving smile. 