APPROXIMATE Synonyms: 112 Similar and Opposite Words

approximate 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈpräk-sə-mət

Definition of approximate

as in relative

being such only when compared to something else the movie's an approximate success, if you can overlook the overblown publicity that preceded it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in approximative

not precisely correct police could only give us an approximate count of the number of people who attended the air show

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

approximate

2 of 2

verb

ə-ˈpräk-sə-ˌmāt

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

To predict the properties of larger molecules and materials, researchers have developed methods that can find approximate wave functions. — Sophya Garashchuk, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2026 The report has an approximate margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. — Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026

Verb

At this point in the news cycle, unity, or at least something approximating it, needs to be the chief league objective. — Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 The show imagines communities centered on the Mississippi River, which flows through Minneapolis, and the installation echoes a riverbed, with platforms approximating islands. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for approximate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for approximate

Adjective

The fighting has revived Yemen’s civil war after four years of relative calm.

— Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
The midday reversal came as equities sold off, with the S&P 500 dropping more than 1%, leading some investors to rotate back into the relative safety of the bond market.

— Michelle Fox,Sean Conlon,Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of relative

Adjective

Medical identity theft can lead to fraudulent bills and inaccurate patient records, so catching problems early is important.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Working with fellow researchers, Cade now has a good reason to believe the Nature report is more than likely inaccurate – the train’s rail route didn’t exist until 1846.

— Mike McRae October 15, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of inaccurate

Verb

Blue Origin’s expansion reflects the infrastructure demands of a higher launch cadence.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Despite the risks, vessels continue to transit the Strait, reflecting its commercial importance, particularly for energy shipments to Asian markets, Ampatzidis said.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of reflect

Adjective

What prevents an incorrect action from propagating into the physical process?

— Gregory Shahnovsky, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
The sports media rarely treats athletes who espouse liberal or progressive political views as problematic, even when those views are provocative, divisive, or factually incorrect.

— Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of incorrect

Verb

With the presidential elections approaching next April, political parties are scrambling to position themselves in relation to a protest movement that has shown no sign of abating.

— Nicholas Bequelin, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
As seen from Planet 2, Planet 1 will appear to approach on the inside lane, slow down, move to the outside lane and then fall away once again.

— Phil Plait, Scientific American, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of approach

Browse Nearby Words

approving (of)

approximate

approximated

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Approximate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/approximate. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of approximate

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

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