1
as in relative
being such only when compared to something else
the movie's an approximate success, if you can overlook the overblown publicity that preceded it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in approximative
not precisely correct
police could only give us an approximate count of the number of people who attended the air show
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to reflect
to come near or nearer to in character or quality
Rob's violin performance last night didn't even approximate what he's really capable of when he's not feeling sick
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of approximate
Blake Ellis, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026
While the observance is generally described as lasting 40 days, this is not an approximate measurement.
—Matthew Kayser, Ascend Agency, 26 Feb. 2026
Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 6 Mar. 2026
Each of the new saunas has been designed with architectural styles, aromatherapy and chromotherapy (color therapy), as well as temperature and humidity to approximate the original heat therapy options.
—Mindy Sink, Denver Post, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for approximate
Adjective
Many agencies confirmed figures with CNN directly, but when agencies did not respond, CNN used the most recent information available on their websites or other government websites and assumed five-day weeks when calculating the approximate number of training days.
—Blake Ellis, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026
While the observance is generally described as lasting 40 days, this is not an approximate measurement.
—Matthew Kayser, Ascend Agency, 26 Feb. 2026
Verb
Its suitability to our climate stems from its origin in the South African Cape Floristic Province, whose climate approximates our own, except our summers are a bit hotter.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 6 Mar. 2026
Each of the new saunas has been designed with architectural styles, aromatherapy and chromotherapy (color therapy), as well as temperature and humidity to approximate the original heat therapy options.
—Mindy Sink, Denver Post, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for approximate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for approximate
Adjective
-
But Ryer attributed the relative silence to resignation in the face of Democrats' political advantage.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Tuesday's launch was a relative rarity for SpaceX these days — a mission that wasn't devoted to building out the company's giant Starlink broadband megaconstellation.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Some policy defenders contend that the labor market weakness reflects adjustments to immigration restrictions rather than fundamental economic failure, positioning this as a deliberate policy choice rather than an economic failure.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
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Still, the broader bond rout reflects anxiety about the global economy after crude oil surged toward $120 a barrel, up almost 80% since the Iran war began and disrupted shipments from the Middle East.—
Marcus Wong,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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What to do if your bill seems wrong Customers who believe their bill may be inaccurate should first contact Piedmont Natural Gas at 800-752-7504 directly to review the charges.—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Mar. 2026
-
That assumption is grossly inaccurate.—
Robert Pearl,
Twin Cities,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The data matches records of episodic droughts in Europe that may have triggered local wildfires.—
Nidhi Sharma,
Popular Science,
13 Mar. 2026
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One ever-hustling entrepreneur even developed an iPhone dating app that matches singles in public bomb shelters.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The statement came after Bloomberg reported that Oracle and OpenAI had dropped plans to expand the site, though Oracle said media reports regarding Abilene were incorrect.—
Jordan Novet,
CNBC,
10 Mar. 2026
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He was charged in 2013 with tax fraud for filing an incorrect return tied to a Ponzi scheme operated by another man.—
Nick Penzenstadler,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The author approaches her subject with the weariness of a long-suffering old friend, sighingly explaining Stanton’s tantrums to newcomers.—
Moira Donegan,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
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Losses from the streaming segment narrowed by €90 million to €47 million ($51 million), with the company saying the business approached break-even in the fourth quarter.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Approximate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/approximate. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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