as in impending
giving signs of immediate occurrence
some economists see a looming collapse of the stock market
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 17 Apr. 2026
James said nothing changes in his preparation from the regular season to the postseason, even when a looming battle against Rockets star Kevin Durant might reopen old playoff scars on Saturday night.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 17 Apr. 2026
Hikers can traverse looming sand dunes on 6 miles of trails.
—Julia Sayers Gokhale, Midwest Living, 17 Apr. 2026
The looming new domestic beachhead for the disease comes as vaccination rates have tumbled nationwide in recent years — in some areas falling well below the herd immunity threshold experts say is necessary to keep it from spreading.
—Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
The new season will pick up from that moment, with the looming conflict shaping the fate of both relationships.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
The macro numbers looming over the debate were stark.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026
He’s also spooked by the city’s looming budget deficit and the possibility of the state legislature slashing property taxes.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
But in a harbinger of a far more serious threat — consolidation — then-20th Century Fox movie head Stacey Snider brought many to tears when addressing the looming sale of a large swath of Rupert Murdoch’s media and entertainment empire, including the film studio, to Disney.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
Japanese doctors fear a looming shortage of medical equipment, and the country’s prime minister is planning a release of emergency reserves of latex gloves, while South Korea and Singapore are taking similar urgent health sector measures.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 17 Apr. 2026
James said nothing changes in his preparation from the regular season to the postseason, even when a looming battle against Rockets star Kevin Durant might reopen old playoff scars on Saturday night.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 17 Apr. 2026
Hikers can traverse looming sand dunes on 6 miles of trails.
—Julia Sayers Gokhale, Midwest Living, 17 Apr. 2026
The looming new domestic beachhead for the disease comes as vaccination rates have tumbled nationwide in recent years — in some areas falling well below the herd immunity threshold experts say is necessary to keep it from spreading.
—Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
The new season will pick up from that moment, with the looming conflict shaping the fate of both relationships.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
The macro numbers looming over the debate were stark.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026
He’s also spooked by the city’s looming budget deficit and the possibility of the state legislature slashing property taxes.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
But in a harbinger of a far more serious threat — consolidation — then-20th Century Fox movie head Stacey Snider brought many to tears when addressing the looming sale of a large swath of Rupert Murdoch’s media and entertainment empire, including the film studio, to Disney.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for looming
Adjective
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Nearly half a dozen bills have been introduced in Congress with support from the hemp industry to address the impending November ban.—
Molly Parks,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Apr. 2026
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Now, the reentry into Earth's atmosphere and the impending splashdown off the coast of California is perhaps the most dangerous leg of the 10-day mission.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Earle’s got a new reality show brewing with Netflix, so Cooper could make an appearance to chitchat.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
13 Apr. 2026
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In reality, this war has been brewing for years.—
Jennifer Lutz,
New York Daily News,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Anya Kamenetz To learn to fly-fish, contact angler Jim Fulton, who usually takes his students to the Harlem Meer to practice casting, tying knots, and approaching the water.—
The Editors,
Curbed,
16 Apr. 2026
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Members Janet Musil and Meg Peo will give historical context and encourage a discussion about the Electoral College as part of the library’s America 250 series in honor of the country’s approaching 250th anniversary.—
Melinda Moore,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Looming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/looming. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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