oncoming

adjective

on·​com·​ing ˈȯn-ˌkə-miŋ How to pronounce oncoming (audio)
ˈän-
Synonyms of oncomingnext
1
a
: coming nearer in time or space
the oncoming year
oncoming traffic
an oncoming car
b
: future
looked forward to his oncoming visit
2
: emergent, rising
the oncoming generation

Synonyms of oncoming

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Examples of oncoming in a Sentence

we're looking forward to your oncoming visit
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The temperamental weather conditions stemming from a looming storm had staff quickly setting up plastic coverings around the tent throughout Osaka’s conversation to protect from the oncoming rain. — Corbin Bolies, Variety, 29 Aug. 2026 California Highway Patrol The school bus moved to the right to give the oncoming vehicle more room, and that's when the rear of the bus struck a concrete guardrail, officials said. — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 Police said at the time Shao was a passenger, on her way home from a trip, when Reyes-Vargas drove into oncoming traffic to get around a traffic jam, initiating a head-on collision. — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2026 At some point on the short route to his school, Grant — apparently tired from a day of classes and extracurriculars — drifted off behind the wheel of his car and went over the yellow line and into oncoming traffic. — Susan Young, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for oncoming

Word History

First Known Use

1844, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of oncoming was in 1844

Rhymes for oncoming

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Browse Nearby Words

oncomer
oncoming
on command
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Cite this Entry

“Oncoming.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oncoming. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

oncoming

adjective
on·​com·​ing ˈȯn-ˌkəm-iŋ How to pronounce oncoming (audio)
ˈän-
: coming nearer
oncoming traffic
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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