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
Nerdwallet, Orange County Register, 20 Mar. 2025
The other approximate $1 million needed for the repair will come via a $600,000 grant awarded by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources last year with the balance coming from the district’s capital reserve funds.
—Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025
Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2025
Tuesday’s gap higher is yielding a breakout above initial resistance from the 50-day moving average, approximated by the 10-week moving average on the chart.
—Katie Stockton, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for approximate
Adjective
These figures are approximate and don’t take into account recent layoffs.
—Nerdwallet, Orange County Register, 20 Mar. 2025
The other approximate $1 million needed for the repair will come via a $600,000 grant awarded by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources last year with the balance coming from the district’s capital reserve funds.
—Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025
Verb
In the first episode of season three, Joe and his Sergeant Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon) point out that its mythos resembles Mexican folklore’s La Llorona, in just one of a few instances throughout the season that approximate the Indigenous and Chicano cultures of the Southwest.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2025
Tuesday’s gap higher is yielding a breakout above initial resistance from the 50-day moving average, approximated by the 10-week moving average on the chart.
—Katie Stockton, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for approximate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for approximate
Adjective
-
In its first three months in power, the new government restored relative calm to the country, largely restraining those who sought revenge for atrocities committed under the Assads.—
Christina Goldbaum,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2025
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The April outlook readings for the demographic continued a six-month uptrend, reflecting continued relative strength in the jobs market.—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA Today,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Engaging residents in the planning process to ensure that development reflects community values and priorities.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Apr. 2025
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Letters noted that the information reflects what is currently on file and encouraged employees to report any inaccuracies.—
Ted Koppel,
CBS News,
20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Sometimes the results are inaccurate, generated by AI hallucinations – responses AI systems produce that sound convincing but are incorrect, made up or irrelevant.—
Nicole M. Bennett,
The Conversation,
23 Apr. 2025
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Speaking with the New York Times, Jesuit expert Rev. Thomas J. Reese cited the layout of tables inside the Sistine Chapel, as well as the color of the carpet, to be inaccurate.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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What to know about Mega Millions To score the jackpot in the Mega Millions, a player must match all five white balls and the gold Mega Ball.—
Don Sweeney,
Miami Herald,
20 Apr. 2025
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While one of White's boys matched the point guard in Pacers merch, the other repped the Indiana Fever in a Caitlin Clark jersey.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Many patients walk away with incorrect prescriptions.—
Kaitlyn Gomez,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2025
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If a player guesses incorrect groups of words four times, the game ends, and they are defeated.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
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After an hour spent watching her team practice in late fall 2024, Chiles approached Coach McDonald.—
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
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In a recent video shared by the shelter, Shawn lit up as a volunteer approached his kennel.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Approximate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/approximate. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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