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
  • The team’s calculations suggest that a 1% change in strain could produce an effect equivalent to changing the temperature by about 150 kelvin.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The tip is $21,000, approximately equivalent to Joy’s pinky nail.
    Emma Soren, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The documentary depicts a scenario involving a large hostile surface vessel formation approaching southeast of China.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 5 Aug. 2026
  • At one point the man was holding a flashlight approaching the house.
    Tammy Mutasa, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Shields said that out-of-state tuition would be around $55,000, a figure comparable to programs at other schools in the region, such as Mississippi State University, Oklahoma State University and Louisiana State University.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Aug. 2026
  • SignalTrace uses a different method, and no independent study has shown comparable performance.
    Nicole M. Bennett, The Conversation, 11 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The school belongs to a tradition in which young women were educated to fulfill roles as wives, mothers and hostesses, reflecting gender roles and social norms that are now widely regarded as sexist or outdated.
    Roberto Prieto, Variety, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The report card is produced for a broad audience and developed by more than 100 scientists from around the world, reflecting international expertise and collaboration.
    Daniel Peck, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The high school principal sent a nearly identical response, according to the filing.
    Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Conversely, investment banks can drop large numbers of new grads into identical jobs.
    Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • In December 2020, Kotb, Schiffman and their family rocked around the Christmas tree in matching pajamas.
    Diane J. Cho, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026
  • From entering the Canadian Open with an 11-18 record in 2026 to playing in the quarters, Alexandrova is one win from matching a career-best result at a WTA 1000.
    Lukas Weese, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • There is still a VAT, which is analogous to a 13% Flat Tax on individual and corporate income.
    Nathan Lewis, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Pictures of the Channel Islands in the 1980s, after an analogous period of protection from human and otter predation, show huge herds of black abalone, shell to shell, covering patches of the tidepool like floor tiling.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 July 2026
Adjective
  • The March on Washington took place, drawing about 200,000 peaceful protesters to the nation’s capital to advocate for equal rights for Black Americans.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026
  • For the ones still trying to nail down their signature scent, a candle set that runs the entire olfactory gamut is equal parts indulgent and educational.
    Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 11 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Approximating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/approximating. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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