approximating 1 of 2

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

Relevance

approximating

2 of 2

adjective

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
Adjective
For decades, physicists have attempted to do so by approximating the quantum field as a discrete lattice of points. Shalma Wegsman, Quanta Magazine, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for approximating
Verb
  • Smith is approaching two years since deciding to make the managerial leap across the Atlantic.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The other raises hers to threaten the predators approaching their position.
    Harmon Siegel, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Units comprise album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA).
    Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 28 Sep. 2025
  • The set earned 255,000 equivalent album units in the week ending April 12, 2018.
    Thania Garcia, Variety, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Penn would have to make $511 monthly payments over 72 months, reflecting an interest rate of 28%.
    Tony Schick, ProPublica, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The title track off the album finds Swift and her protégé, fellow pop star Sabrina Carpenter, reflecting on the highs and lows of fame.
    Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Below deck, the power plant can crank out 198 kWe for sensors and weapon systems – that's twice the payload space and electrical power of a comparable autonomous vessel.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 28 Sep. 2025
  • These simulations suggest that methane could be released at a rate of a few hundred kilograms per second, making the level of activity comparable to the water plumes on Saturn's ocean moon Enceladus.
    Andrew Jones, Space.com, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • What is the Powerball payout on matching 2 lottery numbers?
    Chris Sims, IndyStar, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Pets are already the MVP of any household, and this matching Halloween costume depicts that beautifully.
    Kyley Warren, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Each Participant acknowledges and agrees that such Participant will not be entitled to any compensation as a result of any Search Entity’s use of any such similar or identical material.
    Time, Time, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Hackers often create lookalike domains that look nearly identical to real ones, adding small spelling changes or extra words.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Deliveries are up 8% versus the analogous stretch in 2024, and while some of those gains may be attributed to the adjustments made to the ratings currency, the league has capitalized on a schedule that ensured maximal exposure for the Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs and … Detroit Lions.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • There’s an analogous cool-verging-on-blasé lyrical delivery set off by animalesque saxophones.
    Rumaan Alam, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Productivity doesn’t always equal value.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The energy was palpable, as Cardi commanded the crowd with equal amounts of humor and swagger.
    Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 28 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Approximating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/approximating. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on approximating

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!