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

Whatever his intention, the oncoming lane of traffic wasn't clear. —Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 25 Nov. 2025

At least one federal vehicle drove into oncoming traffic before Martinez did, video shows. —Charlotte Observer, 21 Nov. 2025

The teen then attempted to swerve back into her lane after spotting an oncoming 2021 Lincoln Aviator, driven by a 75-year-old Lakeland man, but lost control of her vehicle which then spun back into the northbound lane, authorities added. —Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 20 Nov. 2025

Crews onboard the container ship were able to warn officials about the malfunction, giving them time to close the bridge to oncoming traffic before the crash. —Ayesha Ali, ABC News, 18 Nov. 2025

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