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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of approximate
Mac Engel
october 14, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2025
The total approximate retail value of the prize(s) is $3,000.
—Vogue, 13 Oct. 2025
Michael Santoli, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2025
The catalogue of jaw-dropping moments between them is too vast to even approximate a list.
—Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for approximate
Adjective
With an approximate seating capacity of 18,000 for hockey, the size isn’t an issue.
—Mac Engel
october 14, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2025
The total approximate retail value of the prize(s) is $3,000.
—Vogue, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
Nothing says the market is due for another such manic episode, which itself had only been closely approximated by the binge that culminated 70 years earlier.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2025
The catalogue of jaw-dropping moments between them is too vast to even approximate a list.
—Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for approximate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for approximate
Adjective
-
But the mob’s relative lack of visibility does not mean it’s gone away.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
-
As the Universe continues to expand, dark energy’s relative contributions to the energy density will rise, while the remaining components will continue to decrease in relative importance.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Passmore reflects on Shakur’s life and considers how her story highlights the broader struggles and resilience of Black activists whose work is marginalized in mainstream histories.—
Fiction Non Fiction,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 2025
-
During a June 2025 interview with The New York Times Magazine announcing her retirement, Copeland reflected on her impact as the changing face of elite ballet.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The top issue was inaccurate or misleading results (39%), followed by a lack of context understanding (23%), and biased or inappropriate outputs (8%).—
John Kell,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
-
As a result, Aspiration’s financial statements were inaccurate and reflected much higher revenue than the company in fact received, according to prosecutors.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This one has a subtle geometric pattern in a neutral shade that will match any patio setup.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
27 Oct. 2025
-
No one won the jackpot on Monday, but three tickets in New York matched five numbers to win $1 million each.—
Ray Padilla,
Louisville Courier Journal,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
An earlier version of this story contained incorrect information, and the story has been updated.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Terrebonne resident Emmanuelle Bossé told public broadcaster CBC Radio-Canada in May her ballot was returned to sender because of an incorrect postal code on the return envelope provided by the national elections commission.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
So one day last winter, as a new MLS season began, Higginbotham’s wife, Nicole, approached him with an idea.—
Rustin Dodd,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Upcoming comets to view This celestial calendar includes significant comets that will approach Earth through the rest of 2025 and into early 2026 and can be seen with binoculars or a telescope.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Approximate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/approximate. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share