looming 1 of 2

adjective

as in impending
giving signs of immediate occurrence some economists see a looming collapse of the stock market

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

looming

2 of 2

verb

present participle of loom
as in brewing
to be about to happen he tried to take a proactive approach to dealing with the problems that loomed ahead

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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
Verb
The angled basement window, in particular, is an inspired bit of technical mastery, as are the pair of handles on the sides, reserved for the Flukeman and Alex Krycek, who are technically out of the picture, but always feel like a looming presence. — Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 The looming cuts The Chiefs have to trim their roster to 53 players on Sunday evening. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026 The temperamental weather conditions stemming from a looming storm had staff quickly setting up plastic coverings around the tent throughout Osaka’s conversation to protect from the oncoming rain. — Corbin Bolies, Variety, 29 Aug. 2026 With roster cuts looming Sunday night, the Falcons closed the preseason with a 17-12 victory over the Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 29 Aug. 2026 Rescue efforts were still ramping up Friday when a swollen glacial lake in the mountains upstream from the affected area, dammed up by debris and filling with meltwater, raised concerns of a possible new inundation looming. — Arshad R. Zargar, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 Not only is retirement looming at some not-too-distant time, but the college drop-off is fast approaching. — Ken Stern, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 All that remains are multibillion-dollar deficits, looming compliance deadlines and a rigid, top-down funding apparatus that is pushing local governments and school systems over a fiscal cliff. — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 27 Aug. 2026 With a quarterback decision looming, Saturday reinforced that the Browns have been living in denial. — Zac Jackson, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for looming
  1. impending
  2. brewing
  3. approaching
Adjective
  • After a freak accident, Frank the bunny appears in an outstandingly creepy fashion to inform Donnie Darko of the world's impending doom.
    — Grace Dean, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The prank came amid rumors about Stern’s impending retirement and the cancellation of his show.
    — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of impending
Verb
  • Right now, a battle is brewing in courtrooms in Texas and Louisiana involving college football players who have been granted the right to play this season by local judges.
    — Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Since Starmer's political crisis began brewing in early May, the pound has fallen nearly 3% cumulative against the dollar.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of brewing
Verb
  • Edouard is approaching the same region impacted by Tropical Storm Arthur in June and Tropical Storm Bertha in July.
    — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
  • This coexistence of the everyday and the extraordinary suggested to me a cinematic way of approaching death – not as a spectacular intrusion, but as a presence that slowly infiltrates daily life.
    — Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of approaching

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Cite this Entry

“Looming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/looming. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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