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

In the original, Rhaenyra’s troops assemble at Tumbleton to stop the oncoming march of Lord Ormund and his 20,000 troops, and Daeron and his dragon Tessarion. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

The man, noticing the oncoming vehicle, hoists himself onto the highway median at the last second. — Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Prosecutors said Lahey also sped through a construction zone, with workers present, and drove into oncoming traffic on multiple occasions. — Alicia Fabbre, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026

Surveillance video allegedly shows the truck crossing into oncoming traffic to pass two vehicles before cutting back into its lane. — Shelley Bortz, CBS News, 6 Aug. 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