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

Mayfield checked down to Bucky Irving, sprinting into oncoming traffic, looking for a way to get the first down. — Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

His own patrol car spins around 180 degrees, coming to rest facing oncoming traffic. — Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2026

The clip shows the immediate aftermath of the shooting, as Baldwin and others brace for oncoming paparazzi. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 10 Sep. 2026

But the violence is not contained as Senator Olson ends a simple but incredibly effective car chase by driving into an oncoming semi-truck, injuring the truck driver to the point of critical condition. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 6 Sep. 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