LOOMING Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

looming 1 of 2

adjective

as in impending

giving signs of immediate occurrence some economists see a looming collapse of the stock market

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

looming

2 of 2

verb

present participle of loom

as in brewing

to be about to happen he tried to take a proactive approach to dealing with the problems that loomed ahead

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of looming

Verb

The angled basement window, in particular, is an inspired bit of technical mastery, as are the pair of handles on the sides, reserved for the Flukeman and Alex Krycek, who are technically out of the picture, but always feel like a looming presence. — Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 The looming cuts The Chiefs have to trim their roster to 53 players on Sunday evening. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026 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 With roster cuts looming Sunday night, the Falcons closed the preseason with a 17-12 victory over the Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 29 Aug. 2026 Rescue efforts were still ramping up Friday when a swollen glacial lake in the mountains upstream from the affected area, dammed up by debris and filling with meltwater, raised concerns of a possible new inundation looming. — Arshad R. Zargar, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 Not only is retirement looming at some not-too-distant time, but the college drop-off is fast approaching. — Ken Stern, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 All that remains are multibillion-dollar deficits, looming compliance deadlines and a rigid, top-down funding apparatus that is pushing local governments and school systems over a fiscal cliff. — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 27 Aug. 2026 With a quarterback decision looming, Saturday reinforced that the Browns have been living in denial. — Zac Jackson, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for looming

Adjective

Netanyahu brands Erdogan an ‘antisemitic tyrant’ Netanyahu and Katz have pushed back on the political motivation narrative, warning instead of an impending Turkish footprint in Syria.

— Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
That said, this episode — which focused on Barney trying to win over Robin’s scary father as Ted tried to deal with his feelings about his pals’ impending nuptials — hit the right notes, both emotionally and mythologically.

— Erin Strecker, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of impending

Verb

Right now, a battle is brewing in courtrooms in Texas and Louisiana involving college football players who have been granted the right to play this season by local judges.

— Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Since Starmer's political crisis began brewing in early May, the pound has fallen nearly 3% cumulative against the dollar.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of brewing

Verb

The bottom line is that GPC has done a good job of bottoming this year, forming a bullish pattern, outperforming its major peers, and approaching a potential breakout from a multi-year relative downtrend versus XLY.

— Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026
Surveillance video from the Cedar Glenn complex showed Brunson, Newman, and another unnamed co-defendant jumping a fence, approaching a Chevrolet Suburban, and fleeing after being confronted by a witness.

— Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of approaching

Browse Nearby Words

loomed

looming

looms

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Looming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/looming. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of looming

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes