1
as in came
to come near or nearer
the parade's approaching! I can hear the band playing!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in entered
to move closer to
approach the bull with caution
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in approximated
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of approached
Last year, Spalding was approached at her home by Joe’s sister Margaret and volunteered a sample of her DNA.
—
Ben Brachfeld, PEOPLE, 31 May 2026
Now as the race approached the final backstretch, Serna was ready to pounce.
—Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
Alvarez, 41, was in MacArthur Park on May 18 when he was approached by two police officers, who initially mistook him as the suspect in a vehicle theft, according to a Justice Department news release and a criminal complaint filed Wednesday in the Central District of California.
—Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
Eades approached Swift and another sophomore, JJ Barger, in the dugout after the game.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 30 May 2026
According to police, a suspect approached a student from behind, forcibly stole her cellphone and fled.
—City News Service, Daily News, 30 May 2026
Allen and another brother loaded the bike into Allen’s truck and planned to head to the hospital when Chambers approached the pair.
—Rose Evans
updated May 29, Idaho Statesman, 29 May 2026
She was also approached in the early days by Susan Buckles, a children’s literacy expert, and Andrea Johnson, marketing manager, who both wanted to buy into the business and be involved.
—Kansas City Star, 29 May 2026
Carrier selection should be approached strategically, not a to-do list item.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Ben Brachfeld, PEOPLE, 31 May 2026
Now as the race approached the final backstretch, Serna was ready to pounce.
—Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
Alvarez, 41, was in MacArthur Park on May 18 when he was approached by two police officers, who initially mistook him as the suspect in a vehicle theft, according to a Justice Department news release and a criminal complaint filed Wednesday in the Central District of California.
—Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
Eades approached Swift and another sophomore, JJ Barger, in the dugout after the game.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 30 May 2026
According to police, a suspect approached a student from behind, forcibly stole her cellphone and fled.
—City News Service, Daily News, 30 May 2026
Allen and another brother loaded the bike into Allen’s truck and planned to head to the hospital when Chambers approached the pair.
—Rose Evans
updated May 29, Idaho Statesman, 29 May 2026
She was also approached in the early days by Susan Buckles, a children’s literacy expert, and Andrea Johnson, marketing manager, who both wanted to buy into the business and be involved.
—Kansas City Star, 29 May 2026
Carrier selection should be approached strategically, not a to-do list item.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for approached
Verb
-
That came just a few days after news broke that Palantir had secured a $10 billion contract from the US Army over the next decade.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
7 Aug. 2025
-
All five of Bednar’s outs came via strikeout on Wednesday.—
Brendan Kuty,
New York Times,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Kim entered the game when Hernandez departed.—
Doug Padilla,
Oc Register,
27 May 2026
-
Hello Sanctos entered the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ in 2015 on the cusp of history.—
Danielle Rossingh,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
The modern American leader who most approximated the Trimmer ideal was Dwight Eisenhower.—
David Brooks,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The repairs cost $90 million, all for a weapon approximated to be worth $1,500.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Congo's neighboring countries, Rwanda and Uganda, have closed their borders.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
28 May 2026
-
The furniture line is rooted in the Sphere dining table, a collectible limited-edition collection crafted from rare Breccia Acquasanta marble in rose and dusty pink tones and a production of just five pieces made by a quarry that had been closed for 20 years.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Then, in the seventh ballot, Qualls neared the 60% support needed for the party’s endorsement.—
Jimmy Lovrien,
Twin Cities,
31 May 2026
-
Fonseca’s power came to the fore as the game neared its conclusion with the rangy Brazilian’s serves becoming more and more dominant.—
Thomas Schlachter,
CNN Money,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
This lack of confidence and social anxiety is reflected by some of the books on Marilyn’s shelves.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 May 2026
-
Cruz also praised the film’s production team for supporting her throughout the experience and reflected on how the ordeal connected to the movie’s themes.—
Angelique Brenes,
PEOPLE,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
The ticket matched four winning numbers and the Powerball in the drawing Saturday, May 30, the California State Lottery said.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
31 May 2026
-
The bar for earning a customer’s confidence has risen steadily, and in most industries, it hasn’t been matched by a corresponding rise in how companies actually behave.—
Rhett Power,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Approached.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/approached. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
