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
Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
Abivax shares rose 15% as rumors re-emerged of a looming takeover bid for the biotech group.
—Chloe Taylor,holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2026
The state faced limited options in a tight budget year, given a lack of appetite for meaningful spending reforms as well as reluctance to raise taxes with elections looming.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
That this kind of interpersonal violence is the looming fear woven throughout the book is striking.
—Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026
In Sri Lanka, around one million public employees enjoyed three months of four-day workweeks in mid-2022, as the country sought to reduce fuel usage and stave off a looming shortage.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2026
At a retreat in Florida, the House GOP plotted its next steps — but the path ahead is murky, and elections are looming.
—Marianna Sotomayor, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2026
An even bigger battle might also be looming over the county’s Urban Development Boundary, which has protected wetlands and farms for the last 50 years.
—Jenny Staletovich, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2026
But there are bigger problems looming if ships don’t get moving again.
—Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026
Verb
The Federal Reserve also faces another looming legal battle.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
Abivax shares rose 15% as rumors re-emerged of a looming takeover bid for the biotech group.
—Chloe Taylor,holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2026
The state faced limited options in a tight budget year, given a lack of appetite for meaningful spending reforms as well as reluctance to raise taxes with elections looming.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
That this kind of interpersonal violence is the looming fear woven throughout the book is striking.
—Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026
In Sri Lanka, around one million public employees enjoyed three months of four-day workweeks in mid-2022, as the country sought to reduce fuel usage and stave off a looming shortage.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2026
At a retreat in Florida, the House GOP plotted its next steps — but the path ahead is murky, and elections are looming.
—Marianna Sotomayor, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2026
An even bigger battle might also be looming over the county’s Urban Development Boundary, which has protected wetlands and farms for the last 50 years.
—Jenny Staletovich, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2026
But there are bigger problems looming if ships don’t get moving again.
—Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for looming
Adjective
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There is chatter of an impending reduction or reorganization of the international NATO peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, KFOR, which has been in place since 1999 to stabilize the country following war in the Balkans.—
Beth Bailey,
FOXNews.com,
8 Mar. 2026
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Back in Tehran, where heavy bombardment hit several locations including residential areas late Thursday night, residents have said they, too, are given no warnings about impending attacks.—
Kara Fox,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The conference was only months before Epstein's arrest Unbeknownst to the participants, at the time of the conference Epstein's legal troubles were already brewing back in Florida.—
Scott Neuman,
NPR,
9 Mar. 2026
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The city’s first restaurant with an onsite beer-brewing operation, or at least the first full-scale one in decades, won permit approval from the Encinitas Planning Commission Thursday.—
Barbara Henry,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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With nesting season approaching on Padre Island, the chances of encountering a Kemp’s ridley along the Texas coast go up.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Mar. 2026
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Santaniello is approaching 30 years behind the anchor desk at WCCO.—
Aki Nace,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Looming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/looming. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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