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

According to a civil complaint, which was obtained by PEOPLE, Li and Scobey’s vehicle allegedly swerved into oncoming traffic while driving on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles and collided with plaintiff Anna Mercedes Aoun’s vehicle. — Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 2026

The Harford County State's Attorney's Office said Gaeta traveled 371 feet during the five seconds before the crash, reducing his speed from 53 mph to just 47 mph before pushing the victims' vehicle into the path of the oncoming school bus. — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026

Even turning your head to check for oncoming traffic while driving requires mobility in your neck. — Rikkilynn Shields Hannigan, HEALTH, 17 Aug. 2026

As the caravan headed down 61st Street, the agent driving the CBP vehicle attempted to evade them by swerving into oncoming lanes of traffic, with Alvarez following closely behind, the plea agreement stated. — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 14 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