APPROVINGLY

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does approvingly mean? 

• APPROVINGLY (adverb)
  The adverb APPROVINGLY has 1 sense:

1. in an approving manner

  Familiarity information: APPROVINGLY used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• APPROVINGLY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

In an approving manner

Context example:

she nodded approvingly

Antonym:

disapprovingly (showing disapproval)

Pertainym:

approving (expressing or manifesting praise or approval)

 Context examples 

Poor Laurie didn't know where to look, for, man though he was, something of the old bashfulness came over him as this burst of praise made all faces turn approvingly upon him.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

“That was it,” said Holmes, nodding approvingly; “I have no doubt of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?”

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Holmes clapped his hands approvingly.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Henry nodded his head approvingly.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

The legend added that the only person who did not identify them was the Doctor himself, who, when they were shortly afterwards displayed at the door of a little second-hand shop of no very good repute, where such things were taken in exchange for gin, was more than once observed to handle them approvingly, as if admiring some curious novelty in the pattern, and considering them an improvement on his own.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

This spirited burst from Beth electrified the club, and Jo left her seat to shake hands approvingly.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

The Premier nodded approvingly.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

It's a mercy that poor dear baby of a mother of yours didn't live, said my aunt, looking at me approvingly, or she'd have been so vain of her boy by this time, that her soft little head would have been completely turned, if there was anything of it left to turn. (My aunt always excused any weakness of her own in my behalf, by transferring it in this way to my poor mother.) Bless me, Trotwood, how you do remind me of her!

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

"And I drink 'long life to your resolution', Teddy," cried Jo, baptizing him with a splash of lemonade, as she waved her glass and beamed approvingly upon him.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Meg drew her aside, under pretense of pinning up a loose braid, and said approvingly, "It was dreadfully provoking, but you kept your temper, and I'm so glad, Jo."

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)