approximate 1 of 2

approximate

2 of 2

verb

as in to reflect
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 approximate
Adjective
Based on Hackman's pacemaker data, his approximate date of death is February 18. Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025 This is the approximate price of a mission on Firefly Aerospace's Alpha rocket, the cheapest US launcher with the muscle to lift the PUNCH satellites into orbit. Ars Technica, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
Standard time most closely approximates natural light, with the sun directly overhead at or near noon. Beth Ann Malow, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2025 Consider nighttime satellite images of lights in the country—arguably the best approach for approximating Chinese GDP. Stephen G. Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for approximate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for approximate
Adjective
  • In its first three months in power, the new government restored relative calm to the country, largely restraining those who sought revenge for atrocities committed under the Assads.
    Christina Goldbaum, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
  • The April outlook readings for the demographic continued a six-month uptrend, reflecting continued relative strength in the jobs market.
    Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Legends Hotel Peyton Premium Smooth Sateen Bed Sheet Set, $244 To streamline our list, all prices shown reflect queen-size picks.
    Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 20 Apr. 2025
  • There are only four units and the James mortgage reflects that.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Companies with low-quality data could end up with AI outputs that are inaccurate and biased, which could send the company's strategy in the wrong direction, frustrate customers or worse.
    Rob Sanchez, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • This can complicate diagnosis and lead to inaccurate and potentially dangerous conclusions.
    Jack Hidary, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • What to know about Mega Millions To score the jackpot in the Mega Millions, a player must match all five white balls and the gold Mega Ball.
    Don Sweeney, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2025
  • While one of White's boys matched the point guard in Pacers merch, the other repped the Indiana Fever in a Caitlin Clark jersey.
    Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The Times' then-editorial page editor, James Bennet, who had inserted the incorrect claims into the passage, wrote an apology that was posted to the opinion section's social media account.
    David Folkenflik, NPR, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Specifically, the extension payment date for taxpayers who log into the IRS website is incorrect.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Do not approach water, wet objects, or metal items.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Apr. 2025
  • In a recent video shared by the shelter, Shawn lit up as a volunteer approached his kennel.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Approximate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/approximate. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on approximate

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!