approximates

present tense third-person singular of approximate
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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for approximates
Verb
  • The purchase reflects a broader effort to improve protection at military bases as unauthorized drone activity becomes more common.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 July 2026
  • Strong said the deal reflects respect for ITV’s push into streaming through ITVX and unites the different ways British audiences watch television under one roof.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 July 2026
Verb
  • There needs to be the excitement and energy that matches the game.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
  • The industry conversation around funding reform is urgent precisely because this generation deserves a system that matches their ambition and offers them a future.
    Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 3 July 2026
Verb
  • Washington still approaches Africa country by country, while Africa is organizing itself as a continental market.
    Daniele Nyirandutiye, semafor.com, 6 July 2026
  • As the 16th anniversary of their July 13, 2010 nuptials approaches, the now-52-year-old Penelope Cruz tells People that even now, the mystery between the couple is alive and well.
    Alessandra De Tommasi, Vanity Fair, 5 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Approximates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/approximates. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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