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
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 Uncanny too were the dusty pinks, approximating Penn’s beloved, nearly transparent poppies. Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 22 June 2026 Enlarging the circle improves accuracy by better approximating a true circle. Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 25 May 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 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 National Football League, for all its flaws, understands the commercial necessity of approximating fairness. Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for approximating
Adjective
  • The county manager is roughly equivalent to an executive director or chief executive officer and oversees a workforce of more than 4,000 employees and a 2026 budget of $924 million.
    Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 7 July 2026
  • To raise it by a full child, roughly what China or South Korea would need to do to approach stability, would require spending equivalent to 10% of GDP.
    Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 7 July 2026
Verb
  • With group play coming to a close and the Round of 32 approaching, the competition is heating up as teams look to punch their tickets to the knockout round in hopes of hoisting the FIFA World Cup Trophy at the final on Sunday, July 19.
    Jaclyn Hendricks, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026
  • With two or three roster spots still to fill for next season, the Heat is also on its way to approaching the first apron of $209 million.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • The Australian Productivity Commission proposed a similar wide-ranging TDM exception to cover AI model training, citing comparable exceptions in Japan and Singapore.
    Zoey Forbes, The Dial, 7 July 2026
  • County officials kept comparable county manager salaries in the metro area in mind when making their decision, Jebens-Singh said.
    Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 7 July 2026
Verb
  • Fondly nicknamed 'La Isla Bonita' (the beautiful island), La Palma is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, reflecting the island's rich natural environment and focus on sustainable development.
    Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
  • Around 200,000 Jackson County homeowners who paid residential property taxes reflecting more than a 15% value increase in 2023 could qualify for the program.
    Ilana Arougheti July 7, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026
Adjective
  • Their hairdos are almost identical as well, even if Dany’s is more elaborate.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • But on Wednesday, the day after Mexico beat Ecuador 2-0 to secure its fourth consecutive World Cup victory, the fan and his wife, Angélica Arias, walked to the plaza wearing two identical caps.
    Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
Verb
  • Austria, under Ralf Rangnick, play fluid, relentless football but Jordan made a decent fist of their first World Cup match, creating nine chances despite having just 37 per cent possession and matching Austria’s 11 shot attempts.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 5 July 2026
  • In the series of photos, Brooks, 30, showed off her wedding look — a matching pink halter and skirt set with pink bow pumps — and shared a grainy Polaroid picture of her and Hemsworth, 36.
    Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026
Adjective
  • Moreover, the timeline for doing all this is roughly analogous as well – a matter of weeks, once the fissile material is in hand.
    Ilan Berman, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • The timelines are just different, and finding analogous industries to benchmark defense companies against is not easy.
    Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 2 July 2026
Adjective
  • That’s because the accessory is equal parts practical and fashion-forward, keeping my hair out of my face while adding a bit of personality to my outfits.
    Kelsey Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2026
  • There would be no interminable seated supper, but delicacies served at stations that allowed this crowd to mingle and gossip in equal measure.
    Bryan West, USA Today, 7 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Approximating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/approximating. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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