approximates

present tense third-person singular of approximate
as in reflects
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

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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 approximates Neither actor went for an exact impersonation, although Brill approximates Fauci’s Brooklyn accent. — Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 Catnip for film-geek conversation, but rarely does a movie arrive that approximates an answer. — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026 If Ambrosio’s ring is a high-quality natural diamond, Rakholia approximates that it would be valued somewhere between $2,800,000 to $5,100,000 depending on factors like cut and clarity. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 12 Aug. 2026 Standard time most closely approximates natural light, with the Sun directly overhead at or near noon. — Beth Ann Malow, The Conversation, 21 July 2026 Lennox perfectly approximates Franklin’s confidence and repose on the cover of her latest album, Vacancy. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 7 May 2026 Forbes approximates that Jenner is worth $670 million. — Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026 Some bakers find that adding lemon juice or vinegar to milk approximates buttermilk’s acidity adequately for their uses. — Emily Saladino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Mar. 2026 Nordic Knots approximates the color scheme in their percale duvet cover but much more subtly. — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for approximates
Verb
  • Blue Origin’s expansion reflects the infrastructure demands of a higher launch cadence.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The bottom-barrel sentiment also reflects a buildup of workers having to endure six years filled with crises, including a global pandemic, Daniel Zhao, chief economist at Glassdoor said at the time of the report’s release in late September.
    — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Shift workers, night owls or anyone running late schedules may feel better with a midday or early afternoon session that matches their own rhythm.
    — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
  • No new date was set to decide whether the city or county, or some collaboration between the two, will run the database that records contacts with homeless people and the system that matches people to housing.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • As the country approaches its 250th birthday, roughly half of Americans say the American Dream no longer holds true, and younger generations are on track to earn less than their parents.
    — Heather Occhino, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Communing with her fans is part of the Chinouriri experience, so much so that anyone who approaches her for a photo is also met with a real conversation.
    — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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