approaching
Getting ever closer
Approaching describes movement toward something in space or time.
A storm is approaching; a deadline is approaching.
It also means nearly reaching a level or condition: She's approaching forty.
The temperature is approaching freezing.
As a preposition, approaching means close to: a fortune approaching ten million dollars.
Nearness in space
- nearnessState of being close
- vicinityNearby surrounding area
- adjacentDirectly next to
- closeNearby or to shut
neighboring · beside · alongside · nearing · distance · gap · range · within-reach
Almost but incomplete
- almostShort of completely
- roughlyIn approximate terms
- approximatelyClose but not exact
- nearingGetting progressively closer
ballpark · estimate · comparable · similar · resembling · tantamount
About to occur
- impendingSoon to occur
- loomingAppearing threateningly close
- upcomingSoon to occur
- forthcomingSoon to appear
deadline · countdown · inevitable · unavoidable · inescapable · urgent · pressing · eleventh-hour
Conveying threat or danger
- ominousSuggesting something bad approaches
- forebodingFearful anticipation of harm
- sinisterThreateningly suggestive of harm
- loomingAppearing threateningly close
advancing · encroaching · oncoming · stalking · predatory · inevitable · inescapable · danger
Planned approach to goals
- techniqueSkilled way of performing
- tacticPlanned action for advantage
- angleGeometric measure of rotation
- perspectiveAttitude or spatial rendering
framework · methodology · procedure · system · manner · way · style · mindset
Intended arrival point
- journeyTravel from place to place
- homecomingReturning to one's origin
- reunionGathering after separation
- welcomeHospitable greeting offered
landing · terminal · docking · touchdown · inbound · incoming · expected · awaited
Point where paths meet
- confluenceMeeting point of streams
- junctionPoint where things meet
- meetingGathering for discussion
- mergingBlending into one
coalescence · fusion · synthesis · integration · unification · blend · conflux · intercept
proximity
Nearness in space
close · neighboring · beside · alongside · nearing · distance · gap · range · within-reach · encroaching
nearly
Almost but incomplete
- almostShort of completely
- roughlyIn approximate terms
- approximatelyClose but not exact
nearing · ballpark · estimate · comparable · similar · resembling · tantamount
imminent
About to occur
forthcoming · deadline · countdown · inevitable · unavoidable · inescapable · urgent · pressing · eleventh-hour · last-minute
menacing
Conveying threat or danger
- ominousSuggesting something bad approaches
- forebodingFearful anticipation of harm
- sinisterThreateningly suggestive of harm
looming · advancing · encroaching · oncoming · stalking · predatory · inevitable · inescapable · danger · peril
strategy
Planned approach to goals
- techniqueSkilled way of performing
- tacticPlanned action for advantage
- angleGeometric measure of rotation
perspective · framework · methodology · procedure · system · manner · way · style · mindset · philosophy
destination
Intended arrival point
- journeyTravel from place to place
- homecomingReturning to one's origin
- reunionGathering after separation
welcome · landing · terminal · docking · touchdown · inbound · incoming · expected · awaited · ETA
intersection
Point where paths meet
- confluenceMeeting point of streams
- junctionPoint where things meet
- meetingGathering for discussion
merging · coalescence · fusion · synthesis · integration · unification · blend · conflux · intercept · rendezvous
storm
Severe atmospheric disturbance
squall · hurricane · tornado · typhoon · blizzard · fog · darkening · gathering · brewing · system
- approachingnearing, coming, advancing, closing in, incoming
- approximatingguessing, estimating, rounding, ballparking, eyeballing
- closing innearing, converging, zeroing in, hemming in, encircling
- handlingdealing with, handling, managing, coping, addressing
- flight statusbooked, canceled, delayed, boarding, cancelled
- flirtingpickup line, wink, winking, hair flip, chat-up line
approachingreceding
Moving away from observer
retreating · withdrawing · departing · leaving · moving away
approachingending
Final portion of something
finishing · concluding · winding down · wrapping up · terminating
- approaching storm
- fast approachingArriving with speed