Synonyms of approaching

approaching 1 of 2

adjective

as in upcoming

being soon to appear or take place

the approaching holiday has everyone in a state of excitement

Synonyms & Similar Words

• upcoming
• coming
• impending
• nearing
• to come
• imminent
• oncoming
• forthcoming
• at hand
• on hand
• future
• proximate
• pending
• on tap
• anticipated
• predicted
• awaited
• expected
• foreseen

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• recent
• late
• past
• other
• sometime
• old
• former
• foregone
• bygone
• erstwhile
• onetime
• whilom
• quondam

approaching

2 of 2

verb

present participle of approach

1

as in coming

to come near or nearer

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• coming
• closing
• nearing
• arriving
• reaching
• drawing on
• coming up
• closing in
• attaining
• hitting
• landing
• nighing
• bellying up
• gaining
• making
• bordering
• verging
• showing up
• turning up
• touching
• adjoining
• creeping up
• waltzing (up)
• sneaking up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• retreating
• withdrawing
• receding
• retiring
• backing (up or away)
• leaving
• going
• exiting
• removing
• departing
• quitting
• running away
• pulling out
• walking out
• taking off
• shoving (off)
• clearing out
• lighting out

2

as in nearing

to move closer to

approach the bull with caution

Synonyms & Similar Words

• coming
• nearing
• entering
• advancing
• nighing
• dropping in
• popping (in)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• going
• withdrawing
• retreating
• leaving
• departing
• receding (from)
• exiting

3

as in approximating

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

• approximating
• reflecting
• comparing (with)
• matching
• measuring up (to)
• stacking up (against or with)
• mirroring
• paralleling
• holding a candle to
• amounting (to)
• coming (to)
• adding up (to)
• duplicating
• equaling
• touching (on)
• bordering (on)
• verging (on)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of approaching

Adjective

The 2026 midterm elections are fast approaching, and in some states, voters are already casting ballots. — Melina Khan, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026

Election day in South Dakota is fast approaching, and several important statewide offices will be on your ballots. — Gabriel Brito, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 9 Sep. 2026

Turtleneck season is fast approaching, and there are more ways than ever to wear the versatile layering piece. — Jennifer Hussein, InStyle, 5 Sep. 2026

Best Amazon Dress Sales Under $50 Fall is fast approaching, and while sundress season is technically over, these dresses will carry you over into the cooler months. — Paige Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2026

August 29, the fictional date (in 1997) of the franchise’s original nuclear holocaust, is fast approaching, and Judgment Day is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. — ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026

The time for my wife and me to say goodbye was fast approaching. — John Biemer, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Fall is fast approaching, but the Red Sox look like their spring selves again in the worst way. — Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 12 Aug. 2026

While the deadline is fast approaching, Montour keeps working away. — Christine Haughney Dare-Bryan, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Verb

Investigators found blood near the front entrance, and surveillance footage released by the FBI showed a masked person approaching the property and interfering with a security camera. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 30 Sep. 2026

Wilson received a technical foul after leaving the court and approaching the spectator during the fourth quarter of Indiana’s 99-89 victory at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026

Oil prices remain uncomfortably high, but the market’s creative solutions have prevented crude from approaching its record high set in 2008. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026

Known for his ambition and talent, Henry is approaching a defining moment in his career. — Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2026

The hurricane was approaching Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, a marine conservation area, according to the hurricane center, which said the storm could bring dangerous conditions to the area starting Tuesday. — Martín Silva Rey, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

Semafor said Musk is one of a number of wealthy individuals that Paramount, led by CEO David Ellison, has considered approaching to join a syndicate of equity investors into the company. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2026

Travis Kelce is in the apparent twilight of his career approaching his 37th birthday in October. — Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026

Even just approaching the embassy for routine consular services can expose people to observation. — Andrew Nachemson, The Dial, 22 Sep. 2026