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
Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 6 Sep. 2025
Some figures used in the calculation of values may be approximate.
—Michael Ozanian, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2025
Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2025
To approximate those strand-sized pathways, the team fashioned channels in ice using human hair.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for approximate
Adjective
Following an approximate 15-minute break, in which the Boise State players took knees on their sideline while the Eastern Washington players surrounded Taylor, he was stretchered off the field in a neck brace to applause from the fans.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 6 Sep. 2025
Some figures used in the calculation of values may be approximate.
—Michael Ozanian, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
The catalogue of jaw-dropping moments between them is too vast to even approximate a list.
—Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2025
To approximate those strand-sized pathways, the team fashioned channels in ice using human hair.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for approximate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for approximate
Adjective
-
Improving five-year survival rates There have also been improvements in five-year relative survival percentages for breast cancer patients.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The common factor there is a relative lack of stress.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The ground floor is home to the offices of creative director Gherardo Felloni and longtime brand ambassador Inès de la Fressange; the Salon de l’Héritage, an exhibition space and the Salon Vivier reception room, which reflects the distinctive interior design taste of the house’s founder.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Seek out the people who reflect your vision back to you with clarity.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
At the same time, social media sleuths shared inaccurate information and a man was detained after allegedly trying to drive through a barricade near the church.—
Dave Boucher,
Freep.com,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Others were related to the actual content of the courses, such as a school that used a curriculum that included inaccurate information about permissible blood-alcohol levels for drivers and another school that provided students with answers to final exam questions in advance.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
That matched Denver’s success rate on its first eight third-down attempts of the game.—
Nick Kosmider,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
-
What is the Powerball payout on matching 2 lottery numbers?—
Chris Sims,
IndyStar,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
In April, the sheriff disclosed further issues, including incorrect citation numbers and amounts.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Aerating in the incorrect season could have negative consequences for your lawn.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
If the thought of budgeting gives you a headache, there's another way to approach managing your money without tracking every expense or obsessing over spreadsheets.—
Andreina Rodriguez,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Nozawa approached the decor with the goal of softening the architecture's hard lines and surfaces, while channeling the color palette of the building materials.—
Monika Biegler Eyers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Approximate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/approximate. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share