oncoming

adjective

on·​com·​ing ˈȯn-ˌkə-miŋ 

ˈän-

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

• upcoming
• approaching
• impending
• coming

Examples of oncoming in a Sentence

we're looking forward to your oncoming visit

Recent Examples on the Web

The accident occurred as one of the ATVs spotted an oncoming car and slowed down. —Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 20 June 2026

His primary focus was a woman who still appeared to be trapped inside the 2008 Volkswagen Golf that had just swerved into oncoming traffic and collided with a box truck. —Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 19 June 2026

In Lincoln Park last week, pool chairs were seen flying off a high-rise pool deck into oncoming traffic on Clark Street. —Marissa Sulek, CBS News, 18 June 2026

National Railways of Zimbabwe spokesperson Andrew Kanambura said in a statement the bus driver failed to stop and check for oncoming trains before crossing the tracks, violating railway safety regulations. —ABC News, 16 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1844, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for oncoming

• becoming
• forthcoming
• homecoming
• incoming
• shortcoming
• succumbing
• upcoming
• coming
• cumming
• drumming
• gumming
• humming

Kids Definition

oncoming

adjective

on·​com·​ing ˈȯn-ˌkəm-iŋ 

ˈän-

: coming nearer

oncoming traffic