Approaching — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb adjective /ə-ˈprōch/ ap·proach

Meaning & Definition of Approaching

Approaching (verb)

  1. to draw closer to, near
  2. to come very near to, to be almost the same as
  3. to make advances to especially in order to create a desired result

Approaching (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. being soon to appear or take place

    "the approaching holiday has everyone in a state of excitement"

    similar: coming, forthcoming, imminent, impending, nearing, oncoming, pending, proximate, upcoming, at hand, on hand, on tap, to come
    related: future, anticipated, awaited, expected, foreseen, predicted
    opposite: late, recent
    near: bygone, erstwhile, foregone, former, old, onetime, other, past, quondam, sometime, whilom

Approaching (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to come near or nearer

    "the parade's approaching! I can hear the band playing!"

    similar: bellying up, closing, closing in, coming up, drawing on, nearing, nighing
    related: arriving, attaining, coming, gaining, hitting, landing, making, reaching, showing up, turning up, waltzing (up), creeping up, sneaking up, adjoining, bordering, touching, verging
    opposite: backing (up or away), receding, retiring, retreating, withdrawing
    near: clearing out, departing, exiting, going, leaving, lighting out, pulling out, quitting, removing, running away, shoving (off), taking off, walking out

  2. to move closer to

    "approach the bull with caution"

    similar: advancing, coming, nearing, nighing
    related: dropping in, entering, popping (in)
    opposite: going, receding (from), retreating, withdrawing
    near: departing, exiting, leaving

  3. to come near or nearer to in character or quality

    "his store-bought dessert doesn't even approach your homemade version of it"

    similar: approximating, comparing (with), measuring up (to), stacking up (against or with), holding a candle to
    related: adding up (to), amounting (to), coming (to), duplicating, equaling, matching, mirroring, paralleling, reflecting, bordering (on), touching (on), verging (on)

Related Entry: Approach (verb)

Approach is a different word from Approaching. The synonyms below are for approach, not for approaching.

  1. to come near or nearer

    "the parade's approaching! I can hear the band playing!"

    similar: belly up, close, close in, come up, draw on, near, nigh
    related: arrive, attain, come, gain, hit, land, make, reach, show up, turn up, waltz (up), creep up, sneak up, adjoin, border, touch, verge
    opposite: back (up or away), recede, retire, retreat, withdraw
    near: clear out, depart, exit, go, leave, light out, pull out, quit, remove, run away, shove (off), take off, walk out

  2. to move closer to

    "approach the bull with caution"

    similar: advance, come, near, nigh
    related: drop in, enter, pop (in)
    opposite: go, recede (from), retreat, withdraw
    near: depart, exit, leave

  3. to come near or nearer to in character or quality

    "his store-bought dessert doesn't even approach your homemade version of it"

    similar: approximate, compare (with), measure up (to), stack up (against or with), hold a candle to
    related: add up (to), amount (to), come (to), duplicate, equal, match, mirror, parallel, reflect, border (on), touch (on), verge (on)

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Approaching

The most common words with a similar meaning to Approaching:

coming, forthcoming, imminent, impending, nearing, oncoming, pending, proximate, upcoming, at hand, on hand, on tap, to come, bellying up, closing, closing in, coming up, drawing on, nighing, advancing, approximating, comparing (with), measuring up (to), stacking up (against or with), holding a candle to

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Approaching

Words with the opposite meaning of Approaching:

late, recent, backing (up or away), receding, retiring, retreating, withdrawing, going, receding (from)

Related Words for Approaching

future, anticipated, awaited, expected, foreseen, predicted, arriving, attaining, gaining, hitting, landing, making, reaching, showing up, turning up, waltzing (up), creeping up, sneaking up, adjoining, bordering, touching, verging, dropping in, entering, popping (in), adding up (to), amounting (to), coming (to), duplicating, equaling

Near Antonyms of Approaching

bygone, erstwhile, foregone, former, old, onetime, other, past, quondam, sometime, whilom, clearing out, departing, exiting, leaving, lighting out, pulling out, quitting, removing, running away, shoving (off), taking off, walking out

Word Forms of Approaching

Inflections: approached, approaches

Origin & Etymology of Approaching

Middle English approchen, from Anglo-French aprocher, from Late Latin appropiare, from Latin ad- + prope near; akin to Latin pro before for

First known use: 14th centuryt

Frequently Asked Questions about Approaching

What does "Approaching" mean?

"Approaching" means to draw closer to, near. As an a verb and an adjective, it is defined as: to draw closer to, near. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Approaching"?

Other words for "Approaching" include coming, forthcoming, imminent, impending, nearing, oncoming, pending and proximate. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Approaching" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Approaching"?

There are 62 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Approaching". Common alternatives include coming, forthcoming, imminent, impending, nearing, oncoming, pending, proximate, upcoming and at hand.

What is the opposite of "Approaching"?

Antonyms of "Approaching" include late, recent, backing (up or away), receding, retiring, retreating, withdrawing and going. Near antonyms include bygone, erstwhile, foregone and former.

How do you use "Approaching" in a sentence?

Examples of "Approaching" in a sentence: "the approaching holiday has everyone in a state of excitement"; "the parade's approaching! I can hear the band playing!"; "approach the bull with caution".

Is "Approaching" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Approaching" can be used as a verb and an adjective, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Approaching"?

"Approaching" is pronounced /ə-ˈprōch/ and divided into syllables as ap·proach.

What is the origin of the word "Approaching"?

"Approaching" comes from Middle English approchen, from Anglo-French aprocher, from Late Latin appropiare, from Latin ad- + prope near; akin to Latin pro before for. First known use: 14th centuryt.