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
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Recent Examples of looming
Pauline J. Yao, Artforum, 2 May 2026
Who’s the likeliest to lose at-bats with catcher Sean Murphy’s looming return?
—Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 1 May 2026
That is all well and good in theory, but the looming spectre of relegation often means those teams near the bottom of the table find another gear at this stage of a season.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Israel Defense Forces spokesman Avichay Adraee, in his latest notice to Lebanese civilians issued via social media, warned residents in the southern village of Habboush to flee their homes ahead of looming strikes.
—May 1, CBS News, 1 May 2026
The 94-year-old edifice, looming majestically over Boyle Heights, stopped taking patients nearly two decades ago.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
While the Yankees don’t seem to be motivated by service time manipulation, that is important to note with a decision on Volpe looming.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026
California’s looming jet fuel crisis.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026
With Leg 1 looming versus Toluca, LAFC did not travel a full group.
—Josh Gross, Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
Yet looming over the era was the specter of the 1984 Sino-British Declaration, which sealed Hong Kong’s fate as a future territory of China.
—Pauline J. Yao, Artforum, 2 May 2026
Who’s the likeliest to lose at-bats with catcher Sean Murphy’s looming return?
—Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 1 May 2026
That is all well and good in theory, but the looming spectre of relegation often means those teams near the bottom of the table find another gear at this stage of a season.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Israel Defense Forces spokesman Avichay Adraee, in his latest notice to Lebanese civilians issued via social media, warned residents in the southern village of Habboush to flee their homes ahead of looming strikes.
—May 1, CBS News, 1 May 2026
The 94-year-old edifice, looming majestically over Boyle Heights, stopped taking patients nearly two decades ago.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
While the Yankees don’t seem to be motivated by service time manipulation, that is important to note with a decision on Volpe looming.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026
California’s looming jet fuel crisis.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026
With Leg 1 looming versus Toluca, LAFC did not travel a full group.
—Josh Gross, Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for looming
Adjective
-
The relationship set the tone for what was to come over the impending months — from that spark to culminating the deal in the last few weeks.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
26 Apr. 2026
-
By the time Cale Makar picked up the puck on the offensive line, exploiting Taylor Ward in a mismatched one-on-one before sniping short side past Anton Forsberg, the impending sweep was clear.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Yankees have a new dynamic duo brewing early this season.—
James O'Connell,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Trouble seems to be brewing for Trader Joe's.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
By the time selling experimental and theraputic peptides to people who had watched athletes on steroids race for a million dollars was no longer a fever dream but an approaching reality, D’Souza felt his work was done.—
Clara Molot,
Vanity Fair,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Orders of protection barring him from approaching his victims were issued, prosecutors said.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Looming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/looming. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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