1To move something or someone closer to another object or place, reducing the distance between them; the transitive form of 近づく.
寒いので、椅子をストーブに近づけた。
It was cold, so I moved my chair closer to the heater.
顔をカメラに近づけすぎると、写真がぼやける。
If you bring your face too close to the camera, the photo will be blurry.
危ないので、子供を火に近づけないでください。
It's dangerous, so please don't let the child get close to the fire.
2To bring people closer together socially, or to let a particular person become close to oneself.
社長は現場の意見を聞くために、若手社員を自分に近づけた。
The president brought junior employees closer to himself in order to hear opinions from the field.
地域のボランティア活動が、若者と高齢者を近づけるきっかけになった。
Community volunteer activities became an opportunity to bring young people and the elderly closer together.
機密情報を扱う部署には、部外者を近づけないようにしている。
We make sure not to let outsiders get close to the department that handles confidential information.