1
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
2
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
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
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Recent Examples of approximate
Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 17 Dec. 2025
The vehicle managed to fly across an approximate 20-foot gap between the elevated highway and BART tracks, which are about 25 to 30 feet above the ground.
—Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 16 Dec. 2025
Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 3 Dec. 2025
Reminiscent of Polanski’s Repulsion in its nightmarish depiction of an unraveling mind, Vicious, which was initially slated for a theatrical release but is instead streaming on Paramount+, doesn’t come close to approximating its greatness.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for approximate
Adjective
Missouri also tracks the HPAI outbreak on its website with an approximate number of cases reported by county.
—Verb
That means mathematicians can approximate these rotations with a straight line that touches the circle at just one point — a tangent line.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for approximate
Adjective
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But as prices have climbed in recent days, locals have increasingly stayed away from the market stalls, reducing the chaos to a relative hush.—
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This has empowered the external opposition, growing out of Iran’s large diaspora and pulling figures such as Pahlavi out of relative obscurity.—
Verb
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According to Qu, the version shown now reflects those iterations and signals readiness for a broader launch.—
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Over the course of the season, Tommy and his father slowly tighten their bond, a process punctuated with darkly comic lines that both puncture and reflect Thornton’s and Elliott’s undeniable chemistry and gravitas.—
Adjective
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Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey rejected claims that the officer acted in self-defense, saying after viewing the video that the federal account was inaccurate, as previously noted by The Center Square.—
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That demeaning statement has proven both accurate and inaccurate, depending on the president’s relationship with the vice president, their skill set, experience, and political ambition.—
Verb
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One cheerfully holds a toothbrush, her hair wrapped in a matching second towel (for me, a universal symbol of maturity and womanhood.—
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Made popular by Toteme, this two-in-one coat is recognizable by the boxy silhouette with an attached, matching scarf that offers a unique look and extra layer of warmth around the neck.—
Adjective
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Everything was really incorrect for the period—shiny, sparkly, overdone—but the actual shapes and silhouettes of his clothes are quite accurate.—
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Avoid harsh or incorrect cleaners and follow manufacturer guidance to protect coatings, airflow, and internal components.—
Verb
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But videos captured by other observers and members of the public show an ICE agent approaching a Honda Pilot that was stopped on a snowy road and ordering the driver — later identified as Good — to open the door before grabbing the handle.—
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How the Overtown museum came about Some years ago, Marilyn Holifield, co-founder of the museum and a partner in Holland & Knight, approached me about creating a museum featuring Overtown’s history, combined with art and technology.—
Cite this Entry
“Approximate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/approximate. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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