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

Protesters gather in Lee’s Summit Protestors in downtown Lee’s Summit along 3rd Street displayed their signs to oncoming traffic, led chants and distributed information about the upcoming election. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026

Here, however, players shoot oncoming asteroids by sliding a physical starship piece around the Board. — Kevin Cortez, Time, 15 Oct. 2026

Police say a black Honda pickup truck was traveling eastbound on Huron River and was preparing to turn left onto Stefano when a semi truck behind it swerved to the right and clipped the Honda truck, pushing it into oncoming traffic. — Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026

Those traveling in a single lane or an outside lane, with a white stripe on the white side, can angle their car slightly, away from oncoming traffic, to hit the butt of the animal. — Celia Frazier, Denver Post, 2 Oct. 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