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

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

The Minnesota State Fair is fast approaching, and this year there will be several new attractions, vendors and rides. — Aki Nace, CBS News, 30 July 2026

The point is, the way Social Security is currently set up, the day of reckoning is fast approaching. — Bydoug Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 July 2026

So, with another knockout game fast approaching, will Messi step up if Argentina is awarded another spot kick? — Ben Church, CNN Money, 11 July 2026

For the Master Plan to be implemented, cities representing 80% of the population of the participating cities must approve the plan by the deadline of August 14, 2026, which is fast approaching. — Stephanie Pearson, Sun Sentinel, 8 July 2026

With fireworks season fast approaching, there's no better time than now to get your pet fast and reliable support before anxiety hits hardest. — Jessica Moore, USA Today, 29 June 2026

And June 30 is fast approaching. — Ryan Lenora Brown, Christian Science Monitor, 26 June 2026

Wetterberg's due date is fast approaching, and the mom-to-be celebrated her baby shower with some of her closest friends over the weekend. — Adam England, PEOPLE, 22 June 2026

Verb

With the 30th anniversary of Cinderella fast approaching, Houston’s greatest heartbreak may have a chance to be mended. — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 29 July 2026

Salgado is accused of approaching the man, taunting him to start a fight and punching him in the face, police said. — Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026

Italy tried to follow suit by approaching Spanish superstar Pep Guardiola, but was rebuffed. — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 29 July 2026

However, the approaching eclipse season comes with a lightning flash of inspiration, along with the usual possibility for upheaval and sudden plot twists. — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 July 2026

The most active part of the Atlantic hurricane season is approaching. — Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 29 July 2026

The Instagram account gathered 22 million followers within weeks and is approaching 27 million. — Penny Abeywardena, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

With Evenepoel fast approaching the crash site, the team had a decision about whether to tell him to be cautious — given his growing lead over Pogacar. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 22 July 2026

The National Hurricane Center had reported a few hours earlier that Bertha was approaching the Louisiana coast, moving west-northwest at 7 mph. — Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 22 July 2026