Skip to main content
approach

approach

24 5.2
Something that is almost the same as another thing
  • noun
  • /əˈproʊtʃ/
translation icon : aproximación
  • The problem with this approach is that it's not the same.

Examples

  • His approach seems rather different.

  • It's hard to imagine three more different approaches to the game of golf.

  • We were just discussing an alternative approach.

  • Everyone else had danced around it and treated it like something sacred, but I took a slightly different approach.

  • Recently, there has been a revival of the personality approach to destructive behavior.

    Academic text (1994)
  • How do you think your life experiences have contributed to your approaches toward culturally relevant pedagogy?

    Academic text (2011)
  • For existing structures experiencing corrosion problems, a "holistic" approach to the problem is needed.

    Academic text (1997)
  • Her method was a novel approach to solving the longstanding issue of resource allocation.

  • The new approach taken by the team was not identical to the previous one, but it was close enough to yield similar results.

  • After evaluating various strategies, we decided to adopt a different approach that closely mirrored successful models from other industries.

Synonyms

similarity
vsapproach
157 2.7

A likeness between things that makes them seem related

is a single close instance, not the general shared quality
resemblance
vsapproach
105 3.0

A likeness in how two people or things look

is a close match overall, not limited to outer looks
analog
vsapproach
  • US
42 6.0

A person or thing similar to another in what it does

is about closeness of fit rather than matching a role
approximation
vsapproach
22 4.4

A close but not exact number or description

is an instance of very close match rather than a calculated estimate
similitude
vsapproach
  • Literature
9.8

A person or thing that looks almost the same as another

is a close example rather than a full identical copy
alikeness
vsapproach
6.8

The fact of being similar in how something looks or behaves

is a particular near match rather than a broad shared quality

Antonyms

1.0

A way of showing how much two or more things are not the same

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 Similar

approach
24 5.2
similarity
157 2.7
resemblance
105 3.0
approximation
22 4.4

Surface Forms

approach singular
approaches plural

Etymology

Approach comes from Latin parts ad- 'to' and prope 'near', giving the idea of being close to something. So an approach can mean a close example or a near match to what you want.