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
ABC News, 2 Nov. 2025
The fate of the enhanced premium tax credits that make coverage more affordable for 92% of enrollees remains up in the air, with the prospect of significantly higher premiums looming.
—Michelle Andrews, NPR, 31 Oct. 2025
The reports come amid economic uncertainty for many families as the government shutdown continues and a looming deadline approaches to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which provides food stamps to more than 40 million Americans.
—Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025
During her Indiana Fever exit interview earlier this month, Sophie Cunningham warned fans about the looming work stoppage.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Right now, the federal government has shut down because leaders in Congress have refused to deal with this looming health care crisis.
—Linda Goler Blount, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Which leads us to now, when a resurgence of thin eyebrows has been looming in the fashion and beauty sphere, threatening to bring your tweezers back to the table.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 30 Oct. 2025
Cavanagh’s comments are the first time anyone on any side of the deal has acknowledged Sheridan’s looming move, though as The Hollywood Reporter noted in a behind the scenes story about the negotiations, NBCUniversal content chief Donna Langley had been pursuing a deal with Sheridan for months.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
Mahomes didn’t play in last year’s game there, however, as KC coach Andy Reid rested many starters with the postseason looming.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
But this worsening food crisis now on a collision course with the issue Democrats are holding firm to fix in this shutdown, looming, skyrocketing health care costs for some 20 million Americans insured through the Affordable Care Act.
—ABC News, 2 Nov. 2025
The fate of the enhanced premium tax credits that make coverage more affordable for 92% of enrollees remains up in the air, with the prospect of significantly higher premiums looming.
—Michelle Andrews, NPR, 31 Oct. 2025
The reports come amid economic uncertainty for many families as the government shutdown continues and a looming deadline approaches to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which provides food stamps to more than 40 million Americans.
—Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025
During her Indiana Fever exit interview earlier this month, Sophie Cunningham warned fans about the looming work stoppage.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Right now, the federal government has shut down because leaders in Congress have refused to deal with this looming health care crisis.
—Linda Goler Blount, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Which leads us to now, when a resurgence of thin eyebrows has been looming in the fashion and beauty sphere, threatening to bring your tweezers back to the table.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 30 Oct. 2025
Cavanagh’s comments are the first time anyone on any side of the deal has acknowledged Sheridan’s looming move, though as The Hollywood Reporter noted in a behind the scenes story about the negotiations, NBCUniversal content chief Donna Langley had been pursuing a deal with Sheridan for months.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
Mahomes didn’t play in last year’s game there, however, as KC coach Andy Reid rested many starters with the postseason looming.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for looming
Adjective
-
The message came as headlines highlighted food banks warning of an impending crisis as money ran out over the weekend for SNAP recipients.—
NPR,
NPR,
4 Nov. 2025
-
In effect, farmers in rural America have warned of an impending economic crisis from the compounding factors of losing their top export market, falling crop prices and high costs.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
For years now, Fuentes has been both an embarrassment to the right and an indicator of what’s brewing in the id of conservatism.—
Ali Breland,
The Atlantic,
31 Oct. 2025
-
This month, a gadget for brewing better tea, a love letter to a lost water bottle, and a new-and-improved version of viral pan (yes, that one).—
Alaina Chou,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Still, the company reported a $110 million net loss for that same period, due in large part to spending of $90 million on research and development, approaching the $107 million spent on R&D for all of 2024.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
-
This follows reports of Netflix approaching iHeartMedia with a similar deal and a THR report of the streamer sending dozens of requests to agents at WME, UTA and CAA in an attempt to sign on more video podcasters.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Looming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/looming. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share