APPROACHES Synonyms: 147 Similar and Opposite Words

approaches 1 of 2

noun

plural of approach

as in paths

an established course for traveling from one place to another will take the standard landing approach from the south

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in methods

the means or procedure for doing something that's a different approach to knitting, but it seems to work

Synonyms & Similar Words

approaches

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of approach

as in comes

to come near or nearer the parade's approaching! I can hear the band playing!

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in enters

to move closer to approach the bull with caution

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in approximates

to come near or nearer to in character or quality his store-bought dessert doesn't even approach your homemade version of it

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 approaches

Noun

Traditional approaches to studying cause-and-effect relationships are often not possible when investigating populations and ecosystems, which are large, complex and messy. — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026 As the primary approaches, Fishback hopes DeSantis and his wife, Casey, will vote for him. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 16 Aug. 2026 In fact, those can be precisely the wrong approaches, according to Lauren Linnane, an American fashion designer who has lived in Milan for three years. — Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2026 By the end, Nidhi comes to find both approaches inadequate, even self-protective. — Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026 Such work is part of a much larger push toward compact quantum hardware, including new approaches for scaling qubits on chips. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026 The team also hopes similar approaches will be used to learn more about other huge volcanic eruptions like Los Chocoyos in Guatemala and the Oruanui eruption in New Zealand 26,000 years ago. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 9 Aug. 2026 New approaches must be shaped that invest the remaining endowment wisely. — Jim Nowlan, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026 These nearly simultaneous events illustrate two very different approaches to European colonization in North America. — Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026

Verb

Visitors are advised to keep at least 50 meters (164 feet) away from the deer, never feed or touch them and if one approaches you to put food and packaging out of sight and move away slowly and calmly. — Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026 Once there, Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Sven, and Olaf watch as the butterfly approaches the outstretched hand of a woman whose face is obscured, before the ominous presence crushes it in her hands. — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Aug. 2026 MouthPad approaches that problem from a completely different direction. — Jesse Watson , Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2026 Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Christine Wonsley, Wells' mother, said his loss is getting harder for her as his birthday approaches. — Tesfaye Negussie, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026 This formative experience informs how Chidi approaches the foundation's commitment to meeting people within their circumstances rather than imposing external solutions. — Mena Mirhom, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 The threat of storms continues Tuesday as a front approaches the Philadelphia area. — Andrew Kozak, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026 This includes the area of the road that approaches or passes the school and is not separated by a fence or other barrier. — Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 11 Aug. 2026 The vandal approaches the statue, pulls the hammer from his pants pocket and strikes the Virgin Mary’s likeness one time. — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for approaches

Noun

The Broncos’ offensive line consistently won the line of scrimmage, clearing paths for Denver running backs to gash the Falcons’ defense.

— Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Furthermore, individuals are taking greater ownership of their career development, often planning beyond a single employer and exploring non-linear paths or side hustles.

— Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of paths

Noun

While a decision on Luis’ eligibility is unlikely to come soon, adding Dent and Clark at least gives Wade some cover in case his various roster-building methods fall through.

— Devon Henderson, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
However, the true advantage in this domain does not come from technology alone, but from developing new employment methods that provide a tactical edge to their respective warfighters.

— Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of methods

Verb

While many viewers praise the former child star as the beating heart of the series, her newfound success comes with heightened tabloid scrutiny, thecoverage wading into everything from her looks to her love life.

— Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
The service Professionalism comes with genuine warmth, cheerfulness, and a sense of people absolutely loving their jobs.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of comes

Verb

The Moon enters Sagittarius and your 3rd House of Communication, highlighting calls, messages, errands, siblings, neighbors, and daily logistics.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2026
In joining the list, the Okefenokee enters the rarified air of iconic places like the Galápagos Islands and the pyramids of Giza.

— AJC.com, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of enters

Noun

While the long-legged aisle-hoggers among us might not relate, travelers lucky enough to settle into the window seat on certain flight routes can look forward to quite the show ahead of touchdown.

— Connor Sturges, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026
Oman has reportedly been working with Iran on a plan to define transit routes for shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of routes

Noun

That combination can make the usual credit card payoff strategies difficult to sustain.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Many countries will benefit from similar hedgehog strategies that draw on the technological revolution favoring defense, insulating their territories against contagion.

— Mark Leonard, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of strategies

Verb

The Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing driver is on the bubble for making the field of 16 drivers who will compete in the Chase, the 10-race championship run that closes the season.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026
There are likely to be several departures before the window closes, either on loan or permanently — and there will be opportunities for B-team and academy players to make the step up.

— Paul Taylor, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of closes

Browse Nearby Words

approached

approaches

approaching

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Approaches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/approaches. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of approaches

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on approaches

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

expeditious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes