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
Ana Ceballos, Miami Herald, 25 June 2025
Our always-online smartphones then report the approximate location of that signal, and with enough reports, the owner can pinpoint the tag.
—ArsTechnica, 25 June 2025
Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 19 June 2025
Still, trying to approximate Carroll’s power potential is a fascinating exercise.
—Doug Haller, New York Times, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for approximate
Adjective
The idea is to have up to 5,000 beds in Florida, at a total approximate cost of $450 million a year.
—Ana Ceballos, Miami Herald, 25 June 2025
Our always-online smartphones then report the approximate location of that signal, and with enough reports, the owner can pinpoint the tag.
—ArsTechnica, 25 June 2025
Verb
Visitors can follow segments of the original trail on public lands and approximate other sections by following the trail’s Auto Tour Routes.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 19 June 2025
Still, trying to approximate Carroll’s power potential is a fascinating exercise.
—Doug Haller, New York Times, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for approximate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for approximate
Adjective
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But in some regards, their presence will serve the same purpose, just on a relative basis.—
Jon Wilner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 June 2025
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The Metals Company is a relative newcomer to the mining industry.—
Daniel Ackerman,
NPR,
30 June 2025
Verb
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That’s why employers must take the lead—not only in setting clear expectations around AI skills, but in ensuring that their hiring and training practices reflect the current educational landscape.—
Leadership Brainery,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
Kesha’s latest album, Period—out this Independence Day—reflects her new freedom.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
1 July 2025
Adjective
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The Congressional Budget Office estimated the bill would add $3.3 trillion to the national debt over the next decade, though Republican leaders dismissed the projection as inaccurate.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
4 July 2025
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And finding those homes proved challenging because many records were missing or inaccurate — some handwritten on notecards dating to the early 1900s.—
Michael Phillis,
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2025
Verb
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Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine shakes hands with Coco Gauff of the U.S. after winning the first round women's singles match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Tuesday, July 1, 2025.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
1 July 2025
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This season, the brand stuck to the classics: silk lounge sets were paired with black one-pieces, and bikinis were matched with flowy skirts and pants.—
Alyssa Hardy,
Vogue,
1 July 2025
Adjective
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Rumors the man lost a limb are incorrect, friends of the victim with Raw Surf posted on the business' Facebook page.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
8 July 2025
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An online commercial real estate site, LoopNet.com, still showed the theater property as up for auction Thursday, but Robinson said the listing is incorrect.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 July 2025
Verb
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While going through the lineups in media dining prior to the game, Elston approached with words of wisdom.—
Tom Layberger,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
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Macfarlane approaches the question by contrasting rivers’ legal rights with those enjoyed by corporations—often quite close to those afforded to persons—which dam, drill, and divert rivers in damaging ways.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Approximate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/approximate. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
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