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Approach: alternatives and connections

Begin with the reviewed alternatives, then explore broader connections without treating every related word as an automatic substitute.

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26,102 words currently have published synonym-style alternatives
90,593 searchable synonym connections
350,924 published thesaurus relationships of every type
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Approach

To come or go near, in place or time; to draw nigh; to advance nearer.

92 useful connections shown 53 reviewed relationships and 39 broader connections.
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Reviewed alternatives and contrasts

These links were deliberately created. Use the interchangeability score and guidance to judge whether a word will work in your sentence.

Verb group 2

Near 84% connected

At a little distance, in place, time, manner, or degree; not remote; nigh.

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet groups these verbs by closely related meaning.

Near 84% connected

At a little distance, in place, time, manner, or degree; not remote; nigh.

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet groups these verbs by closely related meaning.

Narrower term 9

Access 76% connected

A coming to, or near approach; admittance; admission; accessibility; as, to gain access to a prince.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a narrower or more specific lexical category.

Avenue 76% connected

A way or opening for entrance into a place; a passage by which a place may by reached; a way of approach or of exit.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a narrower or more specific lexical category.

Chip 76% connected

To cut small pieces from; to diminish or reduce to shape, by cutting away a little at a time; to hew.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a narrower or more specific lexical category.

Closing 76% connected

of Close

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a narrower or more specific lexical category.

Closure 76% connected

The act of shutting; a closing; as, the closure of a chink.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a narrower or more specific lexical category.

Entrance 76% connected

The act of entering or going into; ingress; as, the entrance of a person into a house or an apartment; hence, the act of taking possession, as of pro…

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a narrower or more specific lexical category.

Entree 76% connected

A coming in, or entrance; hence, freedom of access; permission or right to enter; as, to have the entree of a house.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a narrower or more specific lexical category.

Entry 76% connected

The act of entering or passing into or upon; entrance; ingress; hence, beginnings or first attempts; as, the entry of a person into a house or city;…

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a narrower or more specific lexical category.

Pitch 76% connected

A thick, black, lustrous, and sticky substance obtained by boiling down tar. It is used in calking the seams of ships; also in coating rope, canvas,…

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a narrower or more specific lexical category.

Broader term 16

Accost 76% connected

To join side to side; to border; hence, to sail along the coast or side of.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Act 76% connected

That which is done or doing; the exercise of power, or the effect, of which power exerted is the cause; a performance; a deed.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Address 76% connected

To aim; to direct.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Approximate 76% connected

Approaching; proximate; nearly resembling.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Come 76% connected

of Come

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Formulation 76% connected

The act, process, or result of formulating or reducing to a formula.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Motion 76% connected

The act, process, or state of changing place or position; movement; the passing of a body from one place or position to another, whether voluntary or…

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Move 76% connected

To cause to change place or posture in any manner; to set in motion; to carry, convey, draw, or push from one place to another; to impel; to stir; as…

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Movement 76% connected

The act of moving; change of place or posture; transference, by any means, from one situation to another; natural or appropriate motion; progress; ad…

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Proffer 76% connected

To offer for acceptance; to propose to give; to make a tender of; as, to proffer a gift; to proffer services; to proffer friendship.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Proposition 76% connected

The act of setting or placing before; the act of offering.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Similarity 76% connected

The quality or state of being similar; likeness; resemblance; as, a similarity of features.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Suggestion 76% connected

The act of suggesting; presentation of an idea.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Swing 76% connected

To move to and fro, as a body suspended in the air; to wave; to vibrate; to oscillate.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Timing 76% connected

of Time

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Way 76% connected

Away.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Manner of action 7

Close 76% connected

To stop, or fill up, as an opening; to shut; as, to close the eyes; to close a door.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

Confront 76% connected

To stand facing or in front of; to face; esp. to face hostilely; to oppose with firmness.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

Converge 76% connected

To tend to one point; to incline and approach nearer together; as, lines converge.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

Crowd 76% connected

To push, to press, to shove.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

Face 76% connected

The exterior form or appearance of anything; that part which presents itself to the view; especially, the front or upper part or surface; that which…

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

Hit 76% connected

It.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

Push 76% connected

A pustule; a pimple.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

Derivationally related 4

Advance 74% connected

To bring forward; to move towards the van or front; to make to go on.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Advance 74% connected

To bring forward; to move towards the van or front; to make to go on.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Approachable 74% connected

Capable of being approached; accessible; as, approachable virtue.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Approachable 74% connected

Capable of being approached; accessible; as, approachable virtue.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Entails 2

Advance 72% connected

To bring forward; to move towards the van or front; to make to go on.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records that the source verb entails the related action.

Progress 72% connected

A moving or going forward; a proceeding onward; an advance

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records that the source verb entails the related action.

Containing whole 1

Pattern 70% connected

Anything proposed for imitation; an archetype; an exemplar; that which is to be, or is worthy to be, copied or imitated; as, a pattern of a machine.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a containing group, substance or whole.

See also 2

Synonym 8

Access 92% connected

A coming to, or near approach; admittance; admission; accessibility; as, to gain access to a prince.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Advance 92% connected

To bring forward; to move towards the van or front; to make to go on.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Approaching 92% connected

of Approach

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Attack 92% connected

To fall upon with force; to assail, as with force and arms; to assault.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Coming 92% connected

of Come

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Feeler 92% connected

One who, or that which, feels.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Near 92% connected

At a little distance, in place, time, manner, or degree; not remote; nigh.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Overture 92% connected

An opening or aperture; a recess; a recess; a chamber.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Near synonym 1

Method 92% connected

An orderly procedure or process; regular manner of doing anything; hence, manner; way; mode; as, a method of teaching languages; a method of improvin…

ad editorial 2026 08 academic 72% interchangeable

Method usually suggests a more defined and repeatable procedure.

Related word 1

Solution 78% connected

The act of separating the parts of any body, or the condition of undergoing a separation of parts; disruption; breach.

ad editorial 2026 08 professional 20% interchangeable

Use approach when the effectiveness of the proposed action has not yet been established.

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