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to approach

to approach

312 3.0
To come nearer in time and be about to happen
  • verb
  • /əˈproʊtʃ/
translation icon : acercarse
  • After all, America's public debt is now approaching 100 percent of GDP.
  • approach the end
  • fast approaching
  • time is approaching

YouTube right now, I think is approaching this incredible golden age.

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Examples

  • With the drawdown approaching, the task will be to do all this faster.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Day by day, the people's strong dissatisfaction approaches an increasingly critical state.

    Academic text (1990)
  • Like how do you approach a goal that massive?

  • You start to approach that sort of almost failure point.

  • This war is already approaching the end of the second year.

  • So we're approaching the end of the day.

  • Another army is approaching us from the west.

  • At that time, she was approaching a turning point without realizing it herself.

    Academic text (1999)
  • As the parliamentary elections approach this fall, leaders of the Brotherhood are therefore highly confident about their chances.

    Academic text (2011)
  • As the deadline for the project approaches, we need to focus on completing our tasks.

Synonyms

to near
vsto approach
115 1.0

Move closer to someone or something

refers specifically to times and events becoming imminent rather than physical closeness
to draw near
vsto approach
18 2.6

To move closer in place or time

focuses specifically on impending events and times rather than space
to draw close
vsto approach
8 2.9

Move nearer to someone or something

is reserved for upcoming times and events rather than physical movement
to come near
vsto approach
2.1

To be near in time and about to happen

is the single-word option for the same impending time sense

Antonyms

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 Close

to reach
1.1
to move ahead
61 2.7
to approach
312 3.0

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', so it originally meant 'come near'. That is why we say a deadline or season approaches when it is coming nearer in time.