approximating 1 of 2

adjective

as in equivalent

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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
  1. equivalent
  2. approaching
  3. comparable
  4. reflecting
  5. identical
  6. matching
  7. analogous
  8. equal
Adjective
  • The field will unlock more than 600 million standard cubic feet of natural gas and associated gas liquids per day, according to ADNOC, equivalent to nearly 10% of the UAE’s current daily gas consumption.
    — Emma Graham, CNBC, 21 July 2026
  • The mathematics system allows the system to recognize mathematically equivalent work.
    — Ray Ravaglia, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of equivalent
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
Definition of approaching
Adjective
  • Taking 4 million barrels off the market would be roughly comparable to the amount that China stopped importing during the war – an action oil analysts say has helped keep energy prices relatively low despite the record-smashing oil supply shock.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
  • The system is still expanding, but new units are contributing more of the overall growth as comparable sales moderate.
    — Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of comparable
Verb
  • The award reinforced the engine’s role in the program while reflecting growing demand for compact propulsion systems across the defense sector.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 July 2026
  • Both songs lean into booming, elastic layers of electronics and capricious tempo modulations, reflecting her determination to remain bold and unclassifiable.
    — Maria Nenet Barrios, Pitchfork, 21 July 2026
Definition of reflecting
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
Definition of identical
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
Definition of matching
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
Definition of analogous
Adjective
  • End Wokeness posted a similar critique, arguing the footage conflicted with Hostin's previous public comments about equal treatment under the law.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026
  • But declining volumes and rising capital expenditure meant the stock is close to peak value while rising merger and acquisition (M&A) risk means retention of an equal-weight (hold) investment recommendation.
    — Tim Treadgold, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of equal

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Cite this Entry

“Approximating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/approximating. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of approximating for Spanish Speakers

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