as in reflects
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
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Recent Examples of approximates
Lennox perfectly approximates Franklin’s confidence and repose on the cover of her latest album, Vacancy.
—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
7 May 2026
Forbes approximates that Jenner is worth $670 million.
—
Christopher Edwards,
PEOPLE,
13 Apr. 2026
Some bakers find that adding lemon juice or vinegar to milk approximates buttermilk’s acidity adequately for their uses.
—
Emily Saladino,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
20 Mar. 2026
Nordic Knots approximates the color scheme in their percale duvet cover but much more subtly.
—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
11 Mar. 2026
Its suitability to our climate stems from its origin in the South African Cape Floristic Province, whose climate approximates our own, except our summers are a bit hotter.
—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
6 Mar. 2026
His new deal approximates the five-year contracts Kyle Schwarber and Alex Bregman received from the Phillies and Cubs, respectively.
—
Dan Schlossberg,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Rather, the league will enter a period of status quo that approximates normal working conditions.
—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
10 Jan. 2026
The following map approximates locations based on Newsweek's review of publicly available sources.
—
Nick Mordowanec
john Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Aug. 2025
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
7 May 2026
Forbes approximates that Jenner is worth $670 million.
—
Christopher Edwards,
PEOPLE,
13 Apr. 2026
Some bakers find that adding lemon juice or vinegar to milk approximates buttermilk’s acidity adequately for their uses.
—
Emily Saladino,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
20 Mar. 2026
Nordic Knots approximates the color scheme in their percale duvet cover but much more subtly.
—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
11 Mar. 2026
Its suitability to our climate stems from its origin in the South African Cape Floristic Province, whose climate approximates our own, except our summers are a bit hotter.
—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
6 Mar. 2026
His new deal approximates the five-year contracts Kyle Schwarber and Alex Bregman received from the Phillies and Cubs, respectively.
—
Dan Schlossberg,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Rather, the league will enter a period of status quo that approximates normal working conditions.
—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
10 Jan. 2026
The following map approximates locations based on Newsweek's review of publicly available sources.
—
Nick Mordowanec
john Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for approximates
Verb
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Yahav said the system reflects his experience with low-visibility night approaches.
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The range of Pennsylvania Dutch vocabulary reflects the immediate, physical nature of my ancestors’ lives and work.
Verb
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On the other hand, the Sapphire Preferred’s 100,000-point bonus (after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening) matches the all-time best intro bonus for this card.
-
When the results came back from a genome sequencing laboratory, they were handed off to FHD Forensics, a company that matches DNA with historical genealogy records to identify unknown human remains.
Verb
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At the same moment Joel’s SUV enters the intersection on red, an eastbound Cadillac Escalade approaches on green and the two vehicles collide.
-
Distant Lands approaches such feelings sidelong, as if acting casual will soften grief’s blow.
Cite this Entry
“Approximates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/approximates. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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