approbative criticism.    From Wordnet, Princeton University. 

Never had he been more critical, more approbative.    From Wordnik.com.  [The Dodge Club or, Italy in MDCCCLIX] Reference

These terms are neither approbative nor disapprobative in themselves.    From Wordnik.com.  [The Volokh Conspiracy » Libertarianism and Culture] Reference

My present had the usual effect; Pompey became approbative and talkative.    From Wordnik.com.  [The Continental Monthly, Vol. 3, No. 1 January 1863 Devoted To Literature And National Policy] Reference

The new president of the university arose and eyed him with a peculiarly approbative and grateful gaze.    From Wordnik.com.  [The Titan] Reference

A more concise, equally accurate but less approbative way of putting this would be simply that he "smokes.".    From Wordnik.com.  [The Recount Culture] Reference

Margaret gave an unconscious little approbative nod of the head.    From Wordnik.com.  [The Stillwater Tragedy] Reference

And the approbative shouts of his half-intoxicated auditors filled his simple soul with delight and pride.    From Wordnik.com.  [Almayer's Folly: a story of an Eastern river] Reference

If otherwise, it is vaguely approbative, with the implication, as to the work approved, of some pleasing archæological reconstruction.    From Wordnik.com.  [Tradition and the Individual Talent] Reference

South, native or foreign-born, are not responsible for the perils which are now threatening the work that has once received the approbative fiat, 'It is finished!'.    From Wordnik.com.  [A Fool's Errand. By One of the Fools] Reference

Had one been able to explode a ton of dynamite when Mr. Fischer ended it would have been accepted by the audience as not more than a fitting amount of approbative noise.    From Wordnik.com.  [Chapters of Opera Being historical and critical observations and records concerning the lyric drama in New York from its earliest days down to the present time] Reference

Mathias is dominated by paternal love and characterised by a half-defiant, ever-vigilant, and often self-approbative pride of intellect, in being able to guard and keep a terrible and dangerous secret.    From Wordnik.com.  [Shadows of the Stage] Reference

Raymer watched her as she drove away, noted her skilful handling of the fiery Kentuckian and her straight seat in the flying cutter, and the smile which a day or two earlier might have been mildly satirical was now openly approbative.    From Wordnik.com.  [The Price] Reference

He’s no choice but being moderately approbative, at the very least.    From Wordnik.com.  [jitters] Reference

Whereupon, looking upon me somewhat scornfully, yet not so but what the experienced courtier might perceive a certain cast of approbative affection — —”.    From Wordnik.com.  [The Monastery] Reference

Whereupon, looking upon me somewhat scornfully, yet not so but what the experienced courtier might perceive a certain cast of approbative affection ---- ".    From Wordnik.com.  [The Monastery] Reference

The helpful word, the approbative smile.    From Wordnik.com.  [The Song of the Exile—A Canadian Epic] Reference