Approves list of names (7)
I believe the answer is:
credits
This could be a double definition.
'approves' is the first definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to thinking as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?
'list of names' is the second definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to communication as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I don't see?
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for credits that I've seen before include "Believes" , "Film's final sequence" , "Last items of a film" , "Entries on the payments received side of accounts" , "Directs (anag) - list of a film's contributors" .)