Synonyms of approach

approach 1 of 2

noun

1

as in route

an established course for traveling from one place to another

will take the standard landing approach from the south

Synonyms & Similar Words

• route
• path
• way
• road
• avenue
• highway
• passage
• artery
• walk
• trail
• track
• roadway
• street
• bypass
• lane
• thoroughfare
• pass
• drive
• passageway
• walkway
• boulevard
• pike
• expressway
• freeway
• row
• turnpike
• bypath
• routeway
• byway
• channel
• high road
• airway
• laneway
• door
• portal
• gate
• doorway
• waterway
• trace
• gateway
• hatch
• watercourse
• cycleway
• bikeway
• gat

2

as in method

the means or procedure for doing something

that's a different approach to knitting, but it seems to work

Synonyms & Similar Words

• method
• strategy
• methodology
• way
• technique
• manner
• system
• tactics
• style
• how
• recipe
• plan
• process
• fashion
• form
• tack
• model
• mode
• route
• program
• policy
• scheme
• design
• practice
• layout
• step
• blueprint
• shift
• move
• game
• routine
• plot
• modus operandi
• game plan
• line
• ground plan
• expedient
• intrigue

approach

2 of 2

verb

ə-ˈprōch 

1

as in to come

to come near or nearer

the parade's approaching! I can hear the band playing!

Synonyms & Similar Words

• come
• close
• come up
• draw on
• near
• close in
• reach
• arrive
• belly up
• attain
• land
• nigh
• turn up
• hit
• show up
• gain
• sneak up
• touch
• make
• creep up
• border
• verge
• waltz (up)
• adjoin

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• retreat
• withdraw
• retire
• recede
• back (up or away)
• go
• remove
• leave
• run away
• walk out
• exit
• pull out
• clear out
• take off
• depart
• quit
• shove (off)
• light out

2

as in to enter

to move closer to

approach the bull with caution

Synonyms & Similar Words

• come
• enter
• near
• advance
• drop in
• nigh
• pop (in)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• go
• withdraw
• retreat
• leave
• recede (from)
• depart
• exit

3

as in to approximate

to come near or nearer to in character or quality

his store-bought dessert doesn't even approach your homemade version of it

Synonyms & Similar Words

• approximate
• compare (with)
• measure up (to)
• reflect
• match
• stack up (against or with)
• parallel
• hold a candle to
• mirror
• amount (to)
• come (to)
• add up (to)
• touch (on)
• duplicate
• equal
• verge (on)
• border (on)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of approach

Noun

But several lawmakers on the committee expressed interest in taking a less-heavy-handed approach to the drug, which is sold in gas stations and smoke shops. —Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026

Changing the approach could even speed drug development, the official said. —Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 20 Mar. 2026

Verb

No alarm sounded, no dogs approached, no people appeared. —Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2026

There’s always an excuse—and very little self-reflection—whereas forward-thinkers will approach setbacks by looking inward. —Jenna Ryu, SELF, 19 Mar. 2026