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

But that doesn't mean that savers still can't get an approximate idea of their potential earnings. —Matt Richardson, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026

Many agencies confirmed figures with CNN directly, but when agencies did not respond, CNN used the most recent information available on their websites or other government websites and assumed five-day weeks when calculating the approximate number of training days. —Blake Ellis, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026

Verb

Nordic Knots approximates the color scheme in their percale duvet cover but much more subtly. —Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 11 Mar. 2026

Stout and slightly gruff, Dipper has a digital face that can approximate more than 40 expressions. —Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026