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
The following map approximates locations based on Newsweek's review of publicly available sources.
—
Nick Mordowanec
john Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Nick Mordowanec
john Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for approximates
Verb
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This emphasis on accountability reflects a broader shift underway in the industry.—
Virginie Berger,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
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Express amethyst energy simply with a high-shine plum manicure that reflects the gemstone's beauty.—
Kara Jillian Brown,
InStyle,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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His usage largely matches the pitches’ effectiveness.—
SportsDay Staff,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Jan. 2026
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This resulted in over 95% lithium recovery, which matches harsh chemical methods.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The gunman approaches the school through the parking lot, according to McCraw.—
Nadine El-Bawab,
ABC News,
21 Jan. 2026
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After an uncertain year, the fashion industry approaches 2026 with hopes of being able to plan further ahead or to maintain the previous year’s momentum without losses.—
Andrea Onate,
Footwear News,
20 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Approximates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/approximates. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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