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

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

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

Verb

The pilots would not have been able to even see that airplane approaching them. — Faris Tanyos, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

In his view, many teens are approaching these chatbots for emotional support, but problems arise because these products were not intended for that purpose. — Alex Hartman, STAT, 19 Aug. 2026

As gunfire sprayed around them, Rajab’s cousin, 15-year-old Layan Hamada, called the Palestinian Red Crescent paramedic center, telling them that a tank was approaching and her family had been killed. — Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Know More Warren’s fundraising largesse is vital for the party, which is approaching the midterms at a financial disadvantage compared to Republican groups. — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Leavitt having a season approaching either Daniels or Joe Burrow (not happening) gets the promotion machine rolling and could land Leavitt in New York City. — Darren Cooper, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Classes across all of Florida's school districts have resumed, and the end to the state's 2026 back-to-school sales tax holiday is approaching quickly. — Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026

Compared to Bromley, Fleetwood are approaching elder-statesmen status as members of the EFL. — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026

The sled accelerated down the ice at speeds approaching 90 mph. — Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026