Synonyms of approximate

approximate 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈpräk-sə-mət 

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

• relative
• almost
• comparative
• similar
• comparable
• near
• equivalent
• equal
• alike

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• complete
• perfect
• absolute
• pure
• real
• true
• outright
• unqualified
• downright
• genuine
• out-and-out

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

• approximative
• inaccurate
• incorrect
• inexact
• imprecise
• erroneous
• general
• flawed
• misleading
• ballpark
• indefinite
• loose
• vague
• indeterminate
• uncertain
• undetermined
• squishy
• questionable
• indistinct
• wrong
• undefined
• mistaken
• false
• indefinable
• distorted
• faulty
• specious
• doubtful
• off
• dubious
• mushy
• unsettled
• fallacious
• inconclusive
• unconfirmed
• debatable
• unsupported
• unsubstantiated
• disputable
• indecisive
• invalidated

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• exact
• accurate
• precise
• certain
• correct
• sure
• positive
• dead
• dead-on
• true
• right
• valid
• sound
• unquestionable
• undeniable
• definite
• incontestable
• indubitable
• factual
• defined
• decisive
• definable
• absolute
• ultraprecise
• veracious
• clear-cut
• indisputable
• incontrovertible
• irrefutable
• confirmed
• determined
• errorless
• unqualified
• established
• supported
• validated
• substantiated
• corroborated

approximate

2 of 2

verb

ə-ˈpräk-sə-ˌmāt 

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

• reflect
• match
• measure up (to)
• compare (with)
• approach
• stack up (against or with)
• hold a candle to
• parallel
• mirror
• come (to)
• amount (to)
• equal
• add up (to)
• duplicate
• touch (on)
• verge (on)
• border (on)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of approximate

Adjective

To predict the properties of larger molecules and materials, researchers have developed methods that can find approximate wave functions. — Sophya Garashchuk, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2026

The report has an approximate margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. — Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026

Verb

Whether any variant of such consciousness, approximating that of humans, can be achieved with a nonbiological foundation is assumed but remains to be seen. — Keith Tidman, Baltimore Sun, 24 Sep. 2026

Catnip for film-geek conversation, but rarely does a movie arrive that approximates an answer. — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026