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

Now a corporate security professional based in Chicago, Neagley is shocked when her childhood bestie, Tommy (Jhaleil Swaby), is killed on the L train tracks, seemingly walking into an oncoming train while high. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 21 Sep. 2026

According to a Kansas Highway Patrol report, a GMC truck and a Hyundai SUV were headed south on the interstate when the truck hit the SUV and went into oncoming traffic lanes. — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 17 Sep. 2026

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

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