approbative — English Dictionary

Adjective

1. Expressing approval.

   Synonyms

   approbatoryapproving

   Antonyms

   disapprovingpejorativereprobativereprobatory

   Examples

   approbative criticism

   More examples (1)

   His late Display of unparralled [sic] Generosity to a distressed, though reputable Family, will be enrolled in the Court above; and from the recording Angel, instead of a Tear, extort an approbative smile.

   […] the approbative shouts of his half-intoxicated auditors filled his simple soul with delight and pride.

   More examples (1)

   An Irish friend then in his nineties once asked me if there were any Yiddish words that weren’t critical. I told him there must be some, though I did not know them. Even words that might seem approbative like chachem for wise man, with the slightest turn take on an ironic twist.

2. Sanctioning officially, giving authorization or approval to something.

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   And if the words have any graine of truth in them, they must be undestood [sic] not of an Authorative, but onely of a Consultive Power to advise him, or at the most approbative, to give their assent to Laws propounded, he having limited himselfe to make no Laws without them.

3. Seeking approval; placing great value on others' opinions of oneself.

Noun

1. A word or grammatical form which denotes a positive affect expressing the appreciation or approval of the speaker.

   Related words

   laudativepejorative

Adjective

1. expressing or manifesting praise or approval

   Synonyms

   approvingaffirmativeapprobatoryplausive

   Examples

   approbative criticism

   an affirmative nod