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.
The wreckage of Wednesday's crash reminded many of the aftermath of another train collision in January, when 46 people died in southern Spain when an Iryo train jumped the track and hit an oncoming Renfe train. — Joseph Wilson, Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2026 Second fatal train crash this year The wreckage of Wednesday’s crash reminded many of the aftermath of another train collision in January, when 46 people died in southern Spain when an IRYO train jumped the track and hit an oncoming RENFE train. — Joseph Wilson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026 An Iryo train traveling from Malaga to Madrid derailed near Adamuz, in southern Spain, and collided with an oncoming Renfe train heading to Huelva. — ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026 An oncoming truck struck and killed a 28-year-old Michigan man who was checking his vehicle for deer damage along Interstate 96 early Wednesday near Brighton, the Michigan State Police report. — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 28 Oct. 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 1 Nov. 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
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