as in equivalent
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Dissimilar Words
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
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
Only the handful of relegation-proof Premier League clubs have anything approximating US sport franchise valuations, because everyone else’s value could evaporate as a result of a bad season or two.
—Andrés Martinez, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026
In the field of cosmology, approximating dark energy with a cosmological constant has been remarkably successful since its presence was first revealed in the late 1990s.
—Big Think, 1 Apr. 2026
The authors suggest that the Democratic preference, approximating a more native pronunciation, was motivated by greater multicultural sensitivity.
—Valerie M. Fridland, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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
Only the handful of relegation-proof Premier League clubs have anything approximating US sport franchise valuations, because everyone else’s value could evaporate as a result of a bad season or two.
—Andrés Martinez, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026
In the field of cosmology, approximating dark energy with a cosmological constant has been remarkably successful since its presence was first revealed in the late 1990s.
—Big Think, 1 Apr. 2026
The authors suggest that the Democratic preference, approximating a more native pronunciation, was motivated by greater multicultural sensitivity.
—Valerie M. Fridland, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for approximating
Adjective
-
Through narrow, treacherous tunnels, some waterlogged and cold enough for wetsuits, others so tight oxygen was scarce, the men navigated 260 meters (approximately 850 feet), from the chamber they’d been trapped in to the cave’s mouth, a distance equivalent to the height of a 78-story building.—
Kocha Olarn,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
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By then, analysts outlined how the NDAA’s provision to arm Iraq with equivalent systems could ultimately scupper any Kurdish acquisition, or at least delay it indefinitely.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Around the same time, Mark and Jacob Iskander, 11 and 8, were with their mother and younger sibling approaching a crosswalk at Triunfo Canyon Road.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
Women approaching perimenopause, or anyone with a family history of osteoporosis, may benefit from talking to a doctor about bone density screening before a fracture forces the conversation.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
Accessible rooms are available, putting this hotel head and shoulders above comparable historic properties.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
No, Love Island contestants aren’t exactly producing dialogue comparable to The Bard of Avon’s work.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Indeed, e-commerce now represents a significant share of total fashion sales, reflecting continued growth in digital channels.—
Malana VanTyler,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2026
-
Broadcom’s revenues from these two deals will be closely correlated, UBS’s Arcuri said, reflecting the high level of mutual investment that has characterized the AI buildout so far.—
Tobias Burns,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
Peach trees grown from seed won't be identical to the parent plant.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
6 June 2026
-
The menu is identical across locations, showcasing dishes found in regions along the 41st parallel.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 June 2026
Verb
-
At these protests, Patriot Front members wear matching chino pants, blue button-down shirts and white face gaiters.—
Will Carless,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
-
Clairvoyant Brewing is tapping its own fresh kegs again after an 18-month beer production halt, launching a Czech pilsner Friday priced at $5 a pint for that day only — matching the price when the Boise brewery opened in 2017.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
StubHub said the demand for Game 3 tickets at MSG is analogous to the Super Bowl.—
Mike Vorkunov,
New York Times,
4 June 2026
-
Despite the analogous finals matchup, some components of modern life in 2026 may look unfamiliar to the time traveler, while other scenes may strike a similar chord.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
Starting a tad later in 2008, SpaceX has managed to shoot 14,844 payloads into space – almost equal to the total of the rest of the world combined.—
David Szondy
May 31,
New Atlas,
31 May 2026
-
The dust cleared as both Grandes Americanos were on equal footing.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Approximating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/approximating. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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