as in upcoming
being soon to appear or take place
the approaching holiday has everyone in a state of excitement
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in coming
to come near or nearer
the parade's approaching! I can hear the band playing!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in nearing
to move closer to
approach the bull with caution
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of approaching
Brendan Marks, New York Times, 9 May 2026
Summer is fast approaching, with warm temperatures expected to hit Washington DC and make for a sticky and humid start to the season, a familiar reality for residents across the DMV.
—Mike Stunson, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
Colorado’s first open race for governor in eight years is fast approaching, and The Denver Post wants your questions for the candidates.
—Jon Murray, Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2026
Election Day on Tuesday, April 7, is fast approaching.
—The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
There are signs that the summer season is fast approaching.
—Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
That being said, a pair of sandals is a high priority for my travel wardrobe, especially now that spring is fast approaching.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2026
Graduation season is fast approaching, and Jefferson County Public Schools has released ceremony dates for Louisville seniors to receive their diplomas.
—Kathryn Muchnick, Louisville Courier Journal, 12 Mar. 2026
Danforth happened to be talking with Salvi on another matter that day, and was aware that the deadline for petitions was fast approaching.
—Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
Kazmierczak is sitting in the front row and stands up, quickly approaching Omar and squirting apple cider vinegar on her with a syringe.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 7 May 2026
The music’s stopped, and a financial storm unlike any other is approaching.
—Solo Ceesay, Rolling Stone, 7 May 2026
Saar’s magnetism either comes from being one of the most important living artists of the last century, the fact that her 100th birthday is approaching or being a Leo.
—Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
The national taxpayer advocate, an independent watchdog of the IRS, is warning that the deadline to apply for relief is fast approaching after a federal court late last year ruled that taxpayers were not required to file their taxes on time during COVID-19.
—ABC News, 6 May 2026
The initial incident unfolded in the Arden Park Vista neighborhood Thursday evening, where residents reported a man approaching front doors while holding what appeared to be a six-inch knife.
—Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 6 May 2026
That’s why approaching clothing as a form of care—not just expression—can be powerful.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 6 May 2026
Meanwhile, the RideKC bus was headed west on East 11th Street approaching Holmes.
—Kansas City Star, 30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
As for those still deliberating, Decision Day is fast approaching.
—Brendan Marks, New York Times, 9 May 2026
Summer is fast approaching, with warm temperatures expected to hit Washington DC and make for a sticky and humid start to the season, a familiar reality for residents across the DMV.
—Mike Stunson, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
Colorado’s first open race for governor in eight years is fast approaching, and The Denver Post wants your questions for the candidates.
—Jon Murray, Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2026
Election Day on Tuesday, April 7, is fast approaching.
—The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
There are signs that the summer season is fast approaching.
—Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
That being said, a pair of sandals is a high priority for my travel wardrobe, especially now that spring is fast approaching.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2026
Graduation season is fast approaching, and Jefferson County Public Schools has released ceremony dates for Louisville seniors to receive their diplomas.
—Kathryn Muchnick, Louisville Courier Journal, 12 Mar. 2026
Danforth happened to be talking with Salvi on another matter that day, and was aware that the deadline for petitions was fast approaching.
—Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
One way of approaching this is to go back to our earlier discussion about attitudes.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
Kazmierczak is sitting in the front row and stands up, quickly approaching Omar and squirting apple cider vinegar on her with a syringe.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 7 May 2026
The music’s stopped, and a financial storm unlike any other is approaching.
—Solo Ceesay, Rolling Stone, 7 May 2026
Saar’s magnetism either comes from being one of the most important living artists of the last century, the fact that her 100th birthday is approaching or being a Leo.
—Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
The national taxpayer advocate, an independent watchdog of the IRS, is warning that the deadline to apply for relief is fast approaching after a federal court late last year ruled that taxpayers were not required to file their taxes on time during COVID-19.
—ABC News, 6 May 2026
The initial incident unfolded in the Arden Park Vista neighborhood Thursday evening, where residents reported a man approaching front doors while holding what appeared to be a six-inch knife.
—Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 6 May 2026
That’s why approaching clothing as a form of care—not just expression—can be powerful.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 6 May 2026
Meanwhile, the RideKC bus was headed west on East 11th Street approaching Holmes.
—Kansas City Star, 30 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for approaching
Adjective
-
Blocking the map The third case would also have seismic ramifications on which map is used in the upcoming elections.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
10 May 2026
-
Clues point to further possible trimming of Bank of America (BAC) and Apple (AAPL), but the actual transactions won’t be known until the upcoming 13F filing on May 15.—
Bill Stone,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
The council voted unanimously Thursday to shift away from deciding how many bus stops the new law will affect, leaving that decision up to the county’s regional planning agency — the San Diego Association of Governments — to make in coming weeks.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
The Bridgeport Islanders, which played hockey in the state for more than two decades, announced a move to Canada in the coming months.—
P.R. Lockhart,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Oil prices sank Wednesday, and stock markets rallied worldwide with hopes that the United States and Iran are nearing a deal to allow ships to deliver crude from the Persian Gulf once again to their customers.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
-
First-quarter earnings season might be nearing its end, but Morgan Stanley believes there are still stocks worth playing for a post-results boost.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
The band sounds a little like the Police approximating Weather Report, but Parker sounds much like the very guitarist who would join Tortoise and build the ETA IVTet—his tone incisive and notes restrained, his choices forever relating to the rhythm.—
Grayson Haver Currin,
Pitchfork,
30 Apr. 2026
-
So, which games are best for approximating the challenges Artemis will face in settling the moon's surface?—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But there were other signs of an impending disaster.—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
10 May 2026
-
As the impending deadline approaches, one thing is on the Magidsons’ minds — keeping the family together.—
Corey Schmidt,
Sacbee.com,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Eichel hasn’t scored a goal in two games and Marner has only an empty-net goal in the closing moments of Game 1.—
Elliott Teaford,
Oc Register,
7 May 2026
-
An example of working together would be my approach to closing Men’s Central Jail.—
Sierra van der Brug,
Daily News,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
The trend does not bode well for Massie, who has won every primary challenge since entering Congress with over 70% of the vote.—
Molly Parks,
The Washington Examiner,
13 May 2026
-
In Season 2, the stakes are upped as the battle for the Central South West television franchise reaches a fever pitch, with the war between Corinium and Venturer entering a dangerous phase.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
The scholarships support both academic and vocational college pursuits, reflecting the club’s commitment to a wide range of educational goals.—
Stephanie Ogilvie,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2026
-
Shares of Birkenstock slipped in pre-market trading after the clog-brand posted second-quarter results reflecting in part the impact from the Middle East war.—
Vicki M. Young,
Footwear News,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Approaching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/approaching. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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