Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Exercising or involving careful evaluations: "Appraising" describes the act of carefully examining and judging the value, quality, or nature of someone or something. It implies a thoughtful, often critical, assessment.

Usage

The adjective "appraising" is typically used to describe a look, glance, eye, gaze, or manner. It indicates that the person is making a considered judgment or evaluation.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • She looked him over with an appraising eye. (She examined him carefully to judge his character or appearance.)
  • The manager gave the report an appraising glance before the meeting. (The manager quickly but carefully evaluated the report.)
  • His appraising manner made the interviewee nervous. (His evaluative way of behaving made the interviewee feel anxious.)

Advanced Usage

• "In an appraising tone/voice": Speaking in a way that suggests one is making a judgment.
  • The art critic spoke about the painting in an appraising tone. (The critic's voice indicated she was carefully evaluating the painting's merits.)

Variants and Related Words

• Appraise (verb): To assess the value or quality of.
  • The jeweler will appraise the antique ring.
• Appraisal (noun): The act of appraising; an assessment or evaluation.
  • The employee received his annual performance appraisal.
• Appraiser (noun): A person who appraises, especially professionally.
  • The insurance company sent an appraiser to value the damaged car.

Synonyms

• Evaluative: Involving the making of judgments about value.
• Assessing: Evaluating or estimating the nature, ability, or quality of.
• Judgmental: Inclined to make judgments, especially moral ones (can have a more negative connotation than "appraising").

Antonyms

• Uncritical: Not expressing criticism or using careful judgment.
• Accepting: Receiving willingly without judgment.

Adjective

1. exercising or involving careful evaluations
   • looked him over with an appraising eye
   • the literary judge uses many evaluative terms