approximating 1 of 2

approximating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of approximate
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

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 approximating
Verb
Execution reflects strategy consistently, rather than approximating it. Don Dodds, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 Scaloni has set up Argentina in something approximating a 4-4-2 at this World Cup. Graham Ruthven, New York Times, 15 July 2026 Uncanny too were the dusty pinks, approximating Penn’s beloved, nearly transparent poppies. Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 22 June 2026 The National Football League, for all its flaws, understands the commercial necessity of approximating fairness. Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2026 Enlarging the circle improves accuracy by better approximating a true circle. Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 25 May 2026 The band sounds a little like the Police approximating Weather Report, but Parker sounds much like the very guitarist who would join Tortoise and build the ETA IVTet—his tone incisive and notes restrained, his choices forever relating to the rhythm. Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 30 Apr. 2026 So, which games are best for approximating the challenges Artemis will face in settling the moon's surface? Alan Bradley, Space.com, 22 Apr. 2026 During these tests, the platform demonstrated its ability to perform tasks in conditions approximating real combat scenarios. Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for approximating
Adjective
  • Venezuela now faces a multi-year recovery following the twin quakes which have left whole regions of the country devastated and caused an economic hit equivalent to 6% of the country’s GDP, according to the United Nations Development Programme.
    Rocio Munoz, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The country has set a 10 million metric ton (11,023,113 ton) carbon dioxide equivalent budget for international carbon market transactions up to 2030.
    ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • With the 30th anniversary of Cinderella fast approaching, Houston’s greatest heartbreak may have a chance to be mended.
    Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 29 July 2026
  • Salgado is accused of approaching the man, taunting him to start a fight and punching him in the face, police said.
    Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026
Adjective
  • In an exchange relationship, benefits are given with the expectation of comparable repayment; in a communal one, they’re given in response to need, on the assumption that care flows both ways over time.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Experts point out that there are no known examples of this sort of clothing in comparable sculptures from Anatolia or mainland Greece, so the garb reflects a local tradition distinct to the ancient kingdom of Lydia.
    Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • But revenue at the company’s container shipping segment soared 22 percent to a shade under $10 billion, mainly reflecting an average revenue of $1,575 per 20-foot equivalent unit (TEU) transported.
    Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Lightning flashed, reflecting a blue shining light in Kikuko’s eyes.
    Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Go back further and the shape of the argument flips, but the underlying tension is identical.
    Olivia Shalhoup, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • As the riders lean their bikes against the bench, Tom notices the machines are identical in brand and color.
    Tom Campbell, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Several generations of jam bands cite Little Feat as foundational, although almost none has come close to matching the group’s seamless stylistic range and command of percolating grooves and noodling-free improvisations.
    George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Those are the odds for winning the Powerball jackpot, which involves matching the numbers on all five white balls drawn (between 1 and 69), as well as the number on the red Powerball (between 1 and 26).
    Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Fulton sees it as analogous to the insight embedded in a Visa network but reaching deeper into people's financial lives.
    Peter High, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • The companies describe the technology as analogous to Global Entry for international travelers, in that pre-verified goods move through compliance checks faster because customs isn’t starting a full risk review every time.
    Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 24 July 2026
Adjective
  • On many Saturday nights, the racing there can resemble equal parts short-track competition and reality television, with just enough contact on, and off, the track to make a UFC referee feel right at home.
    Greg Engle, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The example illustrates that treating an agent as a colleague does not mean treating it as an equal bearer of responsibility.
    Keith Ferrazzi, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Approximating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/approximating. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on approximating

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster