as in equivalent
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as in approaching
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of approximating
Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 27 Feb. 2026
In the others, researchers cranked up the heat in greenhouses, approximating the effects of global warming.
—Drew Kann, AJC.com, 12 Jan. 2026
The ideal scenario would see Wiggins approximating what Horton did this year, but that was a unique case of elite talent aligning with opportunity and player development.
—Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Each module covered a 36° segment of the ring, approximating the continuous boundary predicted by theory.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 14 Dec. 2025
Reminiscent of Polanski’s Repulsion in its nightmarish depiction of an unraveling mind, Vicious, which was initially slated for a theatrical release but is instead streaming on Paramount+, doesn’t come close to approximating its greatness.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2025
For decades, physicists have attempted to do so by approximating the quantum field as a discrete lattice of points.
—Shalma Wegsman, Quanta Magazine, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
In these walls of white noise, Martin channels Paysage d’Hiver, a Swiss black-metal artist who has made a whole career—and a lot of lore—out of approximating winter storms through blindingly white guitar fuzz and overwhelming dark-ambient atmospheres.
—Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 27 Feb. 2026
In the others, researchers cranked up the heat in greenhouses, approximating the effects of global warming.
—Drew Kann, AJC.com, 12 Jan. 2026
The ideal scenario would see Wiggins approximating what Horton did this year, but that was a unique case of elite talent aligning with opportunity and player development.
—Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Each module covered a 36° segment of the ring, approximating the continuous boundary predicted by theory.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 14 Dec. 2025
Reminiscent of Polanski’s Repulsion in its nightmarish depiction of an unraveling mind, Vicious, which was initially slated for a theatrical release but is instead streaming on Paramount+, doesn’t come close to approximating its greatness.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2025
For decades, physicists have attempted to do so by approximating the quantum field as a discrete lattice of points.
—Shalma Wegsman, Quanta Magazine, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for approximating
Adjective
-
The half-million-dollar campus, equivalent to more than $9 million today, was designed to function as both an academic and civic space, with a large auditorium and athletic fields reflecting the city’s growing expectations for public education.—
Sarah M. Boye,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 Mar. 2026
-
In 2019, Saudi Arabia blamed Tehran for a drone attack on its Abqaiq oil processing facility that halted production equivalent to about 7% of global crude supply.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
That experience has informed how the Clintons are approaching this week's testimony.—
STEVEN SLOAN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
26 Feb. 2026
-
With just over five months until the MLB Draft, professional or college baseball is approaching fast.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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In the aftermath, no comparable athlete organizing drives have surfaced, as player-employee advocates have shifted their focus away from federal regulators to the courts and lawmakers.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
2 Mar. 2026
-
The result is an eventual cough that produces a sound comparable to a car backfiring through a bag of gelatine.—
Alexis Wilkinson,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Eco effort Guest rooms are designed without single-use plastics, reflecting a commitment to more sustainable hospitality practices.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Mar. 2026
-
These adjustments, referred to as population controls, are likely to show steep downward revisions to both population and labor-force levels – largely reflecting reduced immigration.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In the petition for Rother’s second motion to dismiss of the day — Kirkland and all of the attorneys present agreed that the two cases were virtually identical — Rother argued that the case against the agent should be dismissed even if the alleged scheme were true.—
J.C. Hallman,
Oklahoman,
27 Feb. 2026
-
These observations are not contradictory but likely don’t represent quite identical phenomena.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Wearing matching leather coats, the two chatted constantly, pointing at parade formations and singing along with performers.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Pulling her strawberry blonde hair away from her face, Lohan also showed off a pair of matching diamond chain link earrings.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Probing an analogous space leads you to learn and stretch.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Primary care physicians often send referral notes—analogous to prescriptions—that list the patient’s medical history and describe the needed treatment.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Ask and offer in equal measure.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
1 Mar. 2026
-
This results in equal amounts of daylight and darkness across the globe.—
Mary Wasson,
Austin American Statesman,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Approximating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/approximating. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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