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to approach

to approach

532 2.1
To move closer in space to a person or thing
  • verb
  • /əˈproʊtʃ/
translation icon : acercarse a
  • Even when cued, the therapist must gingerly approach each subject at the pace the child will tolerate.
  • a car approached
  • rapidly approaching
  • now approaching

And so the next time a sheep approaches you, don't relax.

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Examples

  • You approach us without showing ID yourself?

  • The two other girls looked up as he approached, and kept on eating.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Humans tend to approach each other directly.

  • A car pulled out of the park and approached with its lights off.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Well, as the truck approached, they could see that there were rocks all over the place.

    Academic text (2011)
  • We are approaching his ship at the Ni-Delta now.

  • As Joe walks down the steps, an elderly woman approaches with her dog, Molly, a mutt.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • As we moved slowly into Port-au-Prince waters and approached the pier, a blood-chilling sight met my eyes.

    Academic text (1990)
  • One of the people who approached Cabarrus for help was Jean-Philippe-Guy Le Gentil.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The train is approaching the station, and passengers should get ready to board the train.

Synonyms

to near
vsto approach
115 1.0

Move closer to someone or something

is the broader idea that covers movement in both space and time
to get closer to
vsto approach
105 1.9

Make progress toward finishing or achieving something

focuses on movement in space or time rather than goal progress
to come near
vsto approach
56 1.8

To move closer in space or time

is the same meaning but expressed as concise dictionary phrasing
to draw near
vsto approach
18 2.6

To move closer in place or time

is the everyday neutral way to describe that movement
to draw close
vsto approach
8 2.9

Move nearer to someone or something

is the common neutral expression without literary or poetic tone

Antonyms

235 4.0

To move back from a place or plan to avoid danger

29 4.8

To move back or become less strong

Phrasal Verbs

Use a new method to solve a problem

Compounds

A different way of doing something that no one else uses

approach shot
  • Specialized
1 6.1

A short golf shot hit to land the ball on the putting green

A strategy that tries many different things at the same time

approach path
  • Specialized
1 5.5

The route a plane follows when going down to land, especially the last part before it touches the ground

approach pattern
  • Specialized
1 6.5

A path a plane follows while preparing to land at an airport

landing approach
  • Specialized
1 4.4

A path a plane follows as it comes down to land

A calm and sensible way of thinking in difficult or stressful situations

A way of using math to study or solve problems

A practical, strict way to handle problems to get results

A general way of dealing with something that ignores small details

8.6

An old, rough way of doing something that ignores modern methods

cazh approach
  • Informal
9.9

A relaxed, informal way of doing things without strict rules

9.9

A way of doing things that is stubborn and refuses to change

A way of doing something that avoids a direct answer or clear action

A way of doing things that encourages competition and rewards only the strongest

A shallow, amateur way of doing something without deep commitment

A way of acting that uses little effort

Using two different actions at the same time to reach a goal

A policy that prefers talks and peaceful solutions instead of force in foreign or economic affairs

9.3

An overly academic way of solving problems that is impractical

To use all available resources and keep nothing in reserve

A way of working that uses too many rules, meetings, and paperwork

arty approach
  • Informal
7.2

A creative, slightly showy way of making things look unusual or special

A way of doing things that uses people or resources only when needed

approach trench
  • Specialized
8.9

A narrow trench that lets soldiers move from rear to front safely

A passionate, persuasive way of telling people about ideas or beliefs

A rude name for a libertarian policy seen as foolish

longtail approach
  • Specialized
8.6

A business method that sells many different products to small groups instead of a few big markets

A fixed, routine way of doing something that lacks creativity

A way of studying many things that makes differences seem very large

A way of doing things guided by one person or idea

A way of doing things that includes many cultures in schools and communities

9.9

A way of supporting freedom that looks simple but ignores real problems

7.5

A way controllers use radar to guide pilots by radio to land in low visibility

A way of acting that people see as typical of men

8.8

A way of doing things that refuses change and new ideas

idiographic approach
  • Specialized
9.9

An approach that studies each person or case in detail to understand their unique experience

To treat an adult like a child without a good reason

A very strict way of managing people and enforcing rules

A strict way of leading that shows little patience

A very risky way of acting that can harm yourself or others

A personal, creative way of thinking often used by people with autism or ADHD

A way of arguing that acts doubtful but does not check new evidence fairly

9.9

A method that looks scientific but has no real evidence

9.9

A method that uses numbers and data to study a problem or trend

A way of looking at something too simply that misses important details

9.1

A way of thinking that supports conservative political ideas

8.2

A different, slightly strange way of doing something to get new ideas

9.9

A style of rule like the Pope's with strong central control and religious power

9.9

A focus on small local issues and interests instead of wider public needs

9.9

A way of speaking or acting that sounds moral and like a preacher

An overly hopeful way of dealing with problems that ignores bad signs

An aggressive, unfair way of trying to gain an advantage over others in business

9.1

A person who appears briefly, makes quick changes, and gives no further help

Sunyavadi approach
  • Specialized
9.9

A Buddhist way of thinking that teaches letting go of attachments to find inner calm

A quick, careless way of doing something that causes mistakes

Stalinoid approach
  • Literature
9.9

A strict, unfair way of leading that does not allow people to disagree

8.2

A very slow way of doing something that wastes time

A method with two levels that do different things

How Fast

to rush
548 1.0
to hurry
1.0
to approach
532 2.1
to edge
10 3.9

Surface Forms

approach infinitive
approached past
approached past participle
approaching present participle
approaches third person singular

Etymology

Approach comes from Latin parts ad- 'to' and prope 'near', which gave the idea of 'move toward'. So, to approach someone or something is to come closer in distance or time.