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
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
Spring is fast approaching, but warm weather and blossoming trees are exactly what individuals with allergies don’t want to see.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Mar. 2026
Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
If prediction markets are any indication, Democrats are heavy favorites to take the House in November, with a likelihood approaching 85%.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
Runway entrance lights, known as RELs, are designed to warn vehicles not to cross when an aircraft is approaching.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Yet with tropical countries approaching the year’s first planting season, prices for key commodity crops haven’t yet budged, putting farmers in a bind.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 23 Apr. 2026
The chatter is about a potential merger with SpaceX, Elon Musk’s breakout rocket company that is set to go public later this year at a valuation approaching $2 trillion.
—Tobias Burns, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
By late afternoon, thunderstorms are expected to fire along the approaching cold front.
—Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2026
Danielson remembers seeing a police officer approaching from behind a parked car, his own gun drawn, ordering them on to the ground.
—Tessa Stuart, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2026
Carrey, however, had other plans—approaching McNamara for advice and eager to learn.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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
Spring is fast approaching, but warm weather and blossoming trees are exactly what individuals with allergies don’t want to see.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
With the midterms approaching, certain primaries have reflected broader debates about whether the Party might consider cursing more, capitalizing tweets, going Dark Woke.
—Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
If prediction markets are any indication, Democrats are heavy favorites to take the House in November, with a likelihood approaching 85%.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
Runway entrance lights, known as RELs, are designed to warn vehicles not to cross when an aircraft is approaching.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Yet with tropical countries approaching the year’s first planting season, prices for key commodity crops haven’t yet budged, putting farmers in a bind.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 23 Apr. 2026
The chatter is about a potential merger with SpaceX, Elon Musk’s breakout rocket company that is set to go public later this year at a valuation approaching $2 trillion.
—Tobias Burns, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
By late afternoon, thunderstorms are expected to fire along the approaching cold front.
—Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2026
Danielson remembers seeing a police officer approaching from behind a parked car, his own gun drawn, ordering them on to the ground.
—Tessa Stuart, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2026
Carrey, however, had other plans—approaching McNamara for advice and eager to learn.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for approaching
Adjective
-
That’s more of a long-term goal, with the expectation that the Rangers will aim to nab one piece with their top-five pick in the upcoming NHL Draft and keep an eye out for any others who hit the market either this summer or down the road.—
Vincent Z. Mercogliano,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Veteran right-hander Phil Maton will be activated from the IL during the Cubs’ upcoming series in San Diego.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The coaches — Teisher for Mission Hills and Aaron Hooford for Escondido — had different philosophies coming into the game.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Gwen Polk, the district’s associate superintendent for business and financial services, said after the meeting that the companion resolution will have no impact on revenue coming into the schools.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There are about as many puts trading as calls, but options traders are paying beefier premiums in upside calls, with total call premiums nearing $100M versus $50M in puts, according to data compiled by SpotGamma.—
Oliver Renick,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The project is solar-powered and nearing self-sufficiency.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
During these tests, the platform demonstrated its ability to perform tasks in conditions approximating real combat scenarios.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The relationship set the tone for what was to come over the impending months — from that spark to culminating the deal in the last few weeks.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
26 Apr. 2026
-
By the time Cale Makar picked up the puck on the offensive line, exploiting Taylor Ward in a mismatched one-on-one before sniping short side past Anton Forsberg, the impending sweep was clear.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The company is also closing around 6,000 open roles, Janelle Gale, Meta’s chief people officer, wrote in a memo published by Bloomberg that Meta confirmed to CNN.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Shares of Texas Instruments soared 19% on Thursday, closing at a record.—
Katie Tarasov,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The scoop neckline adds a flattering touch, and the midi length provides enough coverage for entering temples while still allowing for full freedom of movement.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Apr. 2026
-
But experts say more vessels are leaving than entering, indicating that shipping operators are mitigating risks by avoiding the area entirely and reallocating flows.—
Henrik Pettersson,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
However, the Estée Lauder color brand declined 25 percent, reflecting a tough comparison base compared to the same time last year.—
Denni Hu,
Footwear News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Malloy notes that the practice has expanded its reach through telehealth while also introducing in-person services in response to patient preferences, reflecting an adaptive, hybrid model.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Approaching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/approaching. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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