EN

Synonyms for approach

  • noun
  • verb

Most common

plan of attack attack drive advance overture path

Synonyms by meaning

Noun

1. Plan of attack

plan of attack, attack, drive

2. Advance

advance, overture, feeler

3. Path

path, glide path, glide slope

Other

way, coming, entrance, access, avenue, advent, come-on, approximation, mode, address, come, similarity

Verb

1. Draw near — used intransitively, followed by to, to draw near (to someone or something); to make advances; to approximate…

draw near, push informal, approximate, go up, near

2. Set about

set about, go about

3. Crack — to have sexual intercourse with (someone)

make it, crack

4. Border

border, border on, verge

Other

be like, draw on, resemble

Antonyms

retreat, withdraw, recede

All antonyms of approach →

Definitions

  1. n. 1

    An act of drawing near in place or time; an advancing or coming near.

  2. n. 2

    An act of coming near in character or value; an approximation.

  3. v. 1

    Used intransitively, followed by to: to draw near (to someone or something); to make advances; to approximate or become almost equal.

    He approaches to the character of the ablest statesman.

  4. v. 2

    To have sexual intercourse with (someone).

Related words

Word family
approachability approachable approaching
Phrases
approach wedge final approach purposive approach approach shot

Forms

Plural
approaches → attacks, drives, advances, overtures…
Past participle
approached
e.g. approached → pushed, approximated, neared, cracked…

Choose the right word

Approach or Approximation?

Approach is a relative term, indicating that one has come nearer than before, tho the distance may yet be considerable; an approximation brings one really near.

J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)

Example sentences

  • path Why do I not have the courage to find my own path?
  • avenue The main avenue had a gas station and mosque on it.
  • approximation It's not the exact value, but rather an approximation.

Popularity over time

Word1850 → 2019Trend
approachrising
pathrising
avenuesteady
approximationfalling

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

3 letters
way1
4 letters
come1, near1, push1, path1, mode1
5 letters
drive1, crack1, verge1
6 letters
coming2, attack2, access2, border2, avenue3, advent2, feeler2
7 letters
address2, advance2
8 letters
entrance2, resemble3, overture3
10 letters
similarity5
11 letters
approximate4
13 letters
approximation5

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (coming2 = 2 syllables).

In other languages

Français
approche
Italiano
avvicinamento
Deutsch
Ansatz
Català
plantejament