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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of approximating
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
But he is also credited with the invention of a screw water pump — still used in power plants today — and a means of approximating pi, among many other things.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 13 Mar. 2026
In the others, researchers cranked up the heat in greenhouses, approximating the effects of global warming.
—Drew Kann, AJC.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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
But he is also credited with the invention of a screw water pump — still used in power plants today — and a means of approximating pi, among many other things.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 13 Mar. 2026
In the others, researchers cranked up the heat in greenhouses, approximating the effects of global warming.
—Drew Kann, AJC.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for approximating
Adjective
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Today, a single optical fiber in modern submarine cables can carry data equivalent to roughly 150 million simultaneous phone calls at the speed of light, according to the International Cable Protection Committee.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
17 May 2026
-
This tolerance is equivalent to the width of two human hairs.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Additionally, California has the highest median rent in the nation, with asking rents approaching $2,900 statewide, according to Zillow data.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
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With the season’s first Subway Series rapidly approaching, the Yankees’ offense hasn’t exactly been chugging along.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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The overall resolution of the Pro display is crisp, bright and certainly comparable to the MacBook Air display and possibly not far off that of the MacBook Pro.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
Winners may not substitute, assign, or transfer any prize or redeem any prize for cash; however, Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to substitute a prize (or portion thereof) with one of comparable or greater value.—
Tim McGovern,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
Verb
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The scholarships support both academic and vocational college pursuits, reflecting the club’s commitment to a wide range of educational goals.—
Stephanie Ogilvie,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2026
-
Shares of Birkenstock slipped in pre-market trading after the clog-brand posted second-quarter results reflecting in part the impact from the Middle East war.—
Vicki M. Young,
Footwear News,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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Exactly one year after nipping Marist in the state finals at Duluth’s Cecil Morris Field, the Blessed Trinity Titans did it again in an identical manner, edging Marist 1-0 in the GHSA Class 4A girls’ soccer state championship game on Friday night.—
Jeff Gable,
AJC.com,
16 May 2026
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In practical terms, each new bridge design can be realized with identical effort once the robot and mix are ready.—
Srishti Gupta,
Interesting Engineering,
16 May 2026
Verb
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That kept him from matching his highest score in the PGA Championship.—
Doug Ferguson,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2026
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In Anthropic’s view, compute access remains the biggest barrier preventing Chinese firms from fully matching top American AI labs.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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There is no analogous player in this squad to Grimaldo; Marc Cucurella, the man who has displaced him in the Spain team, is positionally smart but a more effective off-ball runner than on-ball playmaker.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
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The experience of using TikTok is analogous to watching TV.—
Jessica Maddox,
The Conversation,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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Establishing fetal personhood would affirm the equal dignity of every human being under the law.—
Kimberly Bird,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 May 2026
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Obsession has won over both critics and audiences in equal measure, boasting a coveted 94 percent score among both categories on Rotten Tomatoes as of midday Saturday.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Approximating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/approximating. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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