Synonyms for approximation
Most common
Synonyms by meaning
Noun
1. Estimate
2. Approach
Other
contiguity, nearness, neighborhood US, neighbourhood UK, propinquity formal, coaptation
Definitions
- n. 1
The act, process or result of approximating, as
- n. 2
The act, process or result of approximating, as: An imprecise solution or result that is adequate for a defined purpose.
Forms
- Plural
- approximations → estimates, estimations, ideas, approaches…
Choose the right word
In mathematics, approximation is not guesswork, not looseness, and not error. The process of approximation is as exact and correct at every point as that by which an absolute result is secured; the result only fails of exactness because of some inherent difficulty in the problem.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- estimate How much time do you estimate you need to do that?
- estimation In my estimation, this is a legitimate purpose.
- approach Approach! The time has come... one of us must die.
- similarity The similarity between the two persons is astonishing.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| approximation | falling | |
| estimate | falling | |
| estimation | steady | |
| approach | rising | |
| similarity | steady | |
| coaptation | rising |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 4 letters
- idea3
- 8 letters
- approach2, estimate3, likeness2, nearness
- 10 letters
- similarity5, estimation4, contiguity, coaptation
- 11 letters
- resemblance3, propinquity
- 12 letters
- neighborhood3
- 13 letters
- neighbourhood3
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (idea3 = 3 syllables).
In other languages
- Français
- approximation
- Italiano
- approssimazione
- Español
- aproximación
- Deutsch
- Annäherung
- Català
- aproximació