as in impending
giving signs of immediate occurrence
some economists see a looming collapse of the stock market
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in brewing
to be about to happen
he tried to take a proactive approach to dealing with the problems that loomed ahead
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of looming
Helen Regan, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
The looming shutdown The larger agencies whose funding is pending while this dispute plays out are, most notably, Labor, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Education, Defense, State, Homeland Security, Treasury and Transportation.
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Frank learns that the prison is a waystation for the elderly and infirm before they are transferred into hospice care, which puts a looming expiration date on his time with Louis.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 2026
Still, with the deadline looming, both sides signaled openness to a temporary compromise.
—Nik Popli, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
Nicole Fallert here, bringing you the news to know on Thursday, from a looming government shutdown to a forecast for more severe cold.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
Fitbit’s integration with Google has been in progress for years but an important deadline is looming that will see user data deleted if action is not taken.
—Andrew Williams, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
TikTok has finalized a deal to create a new American entity, avoiding the looming threat of a ban in the United States that has been in discussion for years on the platform now used by more than 200 million Americans.
—Kaitlyn Huamani, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2026
Analysts say the stock has faced pressure recently as a looming memory chip shortage threatens to push up component costs for its consumer devices, particularly smartphones.
—Matthew Chin,dylan Butts, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2026
Verb
Gellibrand resident Kyla Beale said fires had been looming over the community for about two weeks following a previous heatwave earlier in January, and most of the town evacuated on Saturday.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
The looming shutdown The larger agencies whose funding is pending while this dispute plays out are, most notably, Labor, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Education, Defense, State, Homeland Security, Treasury and Transportation.
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Frank learns that the prison is a waystation for the elderly and infirm before they are transferred into hospice care, which puts a looming expiration date on his time with Louis.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 2026
Still, with the deadline looming, both sides signaled openness to a temporary compromise.
—Nik Popli, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
Nicole Fallert here, bringing you the news to know on Thursday, from a looming government shutdown to a forecast for more severe cold.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
Fitbit’s integration with Google has been in progress for years but an important deadline is looming that will see user data deleted if action is not taken.
—Andrew Williams, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
TikTok has finalized a deal to create a new American entity, avoiding the looming threat of a ban in the United States that has been in discussion for years on the platform now used by more than 200 million Americans.
—Kaitlyn Huamani, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2026
Analysts say the stock has faced pressure recently as a looming memory chip shortage threatens to push up component costs for its consumer devices, particularly smartphones.
—Matthew Chin,dylan Butts, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for looming
Adjective
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So researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota developed a system that uses real-time signals to warn about impending issues.—
Michelle Fay Cortez,
Bloomberg,
5 Jan. 2026
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Instead, must investigate the history of the colony and attempt to save it from an impending disaster, all while struggling to survive in the harsh lunar environment devoid of oxygen.—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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An espresso machine may be on your wish list, but brewing a cup of coffee with a moka pot or a French press can be just as satisfying.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
24 Jan. 2026
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Resentment for the vehicle has been brewing in various pockets of the industry for some time.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Security footage of the incident showed Richardson approaching Coleman from out of the frame and appears to grab his backpack from behind.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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But with the June primary ballot deadline rapidly approaching, the delay likely nixes the possibility of the city amending its own tax before a possible statewide measure goes before voters.—
CalMatters,
Oc Register,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Looming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/looming. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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