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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of looming
David Wright Faladé, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025
Finally, a potential government shutdown is looming, and talks have remained stalled as the deadline approaches, raising concerns about federal worker furloughs and service disruptions.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 27 Sep. 2025
The lower 48 states were flanked to the west with wildfires and drought, and to the east with growing concerns about impacts from looming hurricanes and tropical storms.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
There are no spools of barbed wire atop its fences or looming guard towers to announce its purpose.
—Shirsho Dasgupta, Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
And with that potential matchup looming, one of the most polarizing Padres players from the rivalry spoke out about a former Dodgers teammate turned divisional foe.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
But by the time the ban was slated to finally kick in, many of those same lawmakers had changed their tune following popular discontent over the looming loss of the app.
—Angela Yang, NBC news, 25 Sep. 2025
Obviously the next couple are important, but that looming stretch of playing at home frequently is a part of the schedule where Denver’s got to make hay.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 25 Sep. 2025
With artificial intelligence looming over multiple creative industries, actress Reese Witherspoon believes that filmmaking will change drastically in the near future as Hollywood adapts to new viewing habits.
—Leia Mendoza, Variety, 21 Sep. 2025
Verb
Walked up Davenport Street and on to Rigdon, past Keeler Baptist, the squat church imposing, nightfall looming.
—David Wright Faladé, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025
Finally, a potential government shutdown is looming, and talks have remained stalled as the deadline approaches, raising concerns about federal worker furloughs and service disruptions.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 27 Sep. 2025
The lower 48 states were flanked to the west with wildfires and drought, and to the east with growing concerns about impacts from looming hurricanes and tropical storms.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
There are no spools of barbed wire atop its fences or looming guard towers to announce its purpose.
—Shirsho Dasgupta, Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
And with that potential matchup looming, one of the most polarizing Padres players from the rivalry spoke out about a former Dodgers teammate turned divisional foe.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
But by the time the ban was slated to finally kick in, many of those same lawmakers had changed their tune following popular discontent over the looming loss of the app.
—Angela Yang, NBC news, 25 Sep. 2025
Obviously the next couple are important, but that looming stretch of playing at home frequently is a part of the schedule where Denver’s got to make hay.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 25 Sep. 2025
With artificial intelligence looming over multiple creative industries, actress Reese Witherspoon believes that filmmaking will change drastically in the near future as Hollywood adapts to new viewing habits.
—Leia Mendoza, Variety, 21 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for looming
Adjective
-
The impending government shutdown is injecting new uncertainty into an already chaotic Washington.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Herro doesn’t expect this short-term setback to impact impending extension talks with the Heat, though.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
More tropical trouble is brewing in the Atlantic Ocean, with a new storm that could take aim at the US Southeast early next week poised to join Hurricane Humberto by Saturday.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Around metro Detroit and beyond, retailers are brewing up some not-to-miss National Coffee Day deals.—
Susan Selasky,
Freep.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Looming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/looming. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share