APPROXIMATELY Synonyms: 29 Similar and Opposite Words

approximately

adverb

ə-ˈpräk-sə-mət-lē

Definition of approximately

as in roughly

close to but not exactly it takes approximately three hours to drive to Dallas

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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 approximately The approximately 20-minute concerto draws on Venezuelan folk harp traditions and features a solo harp accompanied by a chamber orchestra. — Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 The Bend Education Association, which represents approximately 1,000 educators in Bend-La Pine Schools, including at Silver Rail Elementary School, emphasized the need for privacy of their community in a statement. — Irene Byon, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026 According to testimony from prosecution experts cited by the newspaper, Pollis was traveling approximately 67 mph in a 35-mph zone and drove through a traffic light that had been red for at least five seconds. — Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Routine screening guidelines generally do not apply to women under 40, and studies indicate approximately 80% of young women diagnosed with breast cancer initially detect the abnormality themselves. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for approximately

Recent Examples of Synonyms for approximately

Adverb

The spying is alleged to have taken place between roughly June and September 2025, prosecutors claim.

— David Douglas, NBC news, 19 Oct. 2026
The base employed around 1,300 military and civilian personnel, including roughly 1,070 military members, according to October 2025 figures published by the Town of Wainwright.

— Rebecca Schneid, Time, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of roughly

Adverb

In Lyon, France's third-largest city where about 20,000 protesters joined the march, a fire broke out inside a tourist office.

— SYLVIE CORBET, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
The incident occurred along the 3700 block of Gardenia Avenue, where police received a call about two shots being fired in a nearby residence, Long Beach Police said in a statement.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of about

Adverb

Water waves caused by, say, 50 stones thrown into a pond have a wavelength of a few centimeters and oscillate with a frequency of around 10 hertz (Hz).

— Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Previous estimates of her net worth have ranged around $72 million.

— Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of around

Browse Nearby Words

approximated

approximately

approximates

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

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Synonyms of approximately

adverb

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