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

Crowley has taken a more nuanced approach, saying local communities must have veto authority, while also saying data centers are a part of the modern economy and could bring significant economic benefits to the state. — Marc Levy, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Here, The Athletic examines Jakirovic’s tactical approach as Hull brace themselves for the rigours of Premier League football for the first time since 2016-17. — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Verb

Shortly before noon, a man was standing in the 200 block of South Pulaski Road when someone approached, pulled out a firearm and shot him, police said. — Deanese Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026

Citing preliminary investigation, Bivens said the helicopter was hovering several feet above a grassy area adjacent to the runway at the Carlisle airport for the training exercise when the Cessna approached the airport's runway from behind. — Ayesha Ali, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026