oncoming

adjective

on·​com·​ing ˈȯn-ˌkə-miŋ How to pronounce oncoming (audio)
ˈän-
Synonyms of oncomingnext
1
a
: coming nearer in time or space
the oncoming year
oncoming traffic
an oncoming car
b
: future
looked forward to his oncoming visit
2
: emergent, rising
the oncoming generation

Synonyms of oncoming

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Examples of oncoming in a Sentence

we're looking forward to your oncoming visit
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Visibility wasn’t exceptional, but neither was the likelihood of accidentally assaulting an oncoming driver’s eyes. — Matthew MacConnell, ArsTechnica, 3 Aug. 2026 Instead, my ankle gave, and I face-planted into oncoming traffic. — Literary Hub, 31 July 2026 The Malibu, according to the report, rotated at a 90-degree angle and into the lane of oncoming traffic. — Michael Guise, CBS News, 30 July 2026 His Tesla veered into an oncoming lane, hitting a car traveling in the opposite direction. — Armando Salguero, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for oncoming

Word History

First Known Use

1844, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of oncoming was in 1844

Rhymes for oncoming

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Browse Nearby Words

oncomer
oncoming
on command
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Cite this Entry

“Oncoming.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oncoming. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

oncoming

adjective
on·​com·​ing ˈȯn-ˌkəm-iŋ How to pronounce oncoming (audio)
ˈän-
: coming nearer
oncoming traffic

More from Merriam-Webster on oncoming

Nglish: Translation of oncoming for Spanish Speakers

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