Synonyms for Upcoming

Updated 2026-10-12 · Synonyms List editorial team

Quick answer: When you need another word for upcoming, consider options like impending, forthcoming, or soon to be. These synonyms help you vary your language while accurately describing events that will happen in the near future. Choosing the right term depends on the context and tone of your writing or speech.

Closest Synonyms for Upcoming

impending: suggests something is about to happen, often used for serious events like a storm.
forthcoming: indicates something is due or scheduled to occur soon in a professional context.
approaching: describes a time or event getting nearer, such as a deadline or holiday.
imminent: means something is expected very soon, often with a sense of urgency.
pending: refers to matters waiting for a decision or resolution before moving forward.
nigh: an old-fashioned term meaning very close in time, like a celebration nigh.
at hand: used when something is currently ready to be dealt with or experienced.
looming: suggests something large or threatening is appearing on the horizon.
in the offing: casual phrase for something that looks likely to happen soon.
on the cards: British idiom suggesting an event is a possibility in the near future.
in the wings: theatrical term for something preparing to appear soon on stage.
round the corner: common idiom for something happening very soon in time.

Formal Synonyms for Upcoming

advancing: describes progress toward a future goal in academic or corporate reports.
prospective: refers to future possibilities or planned developments in formal analysis.
anticipated: indicates a future event expected based on current planning or data.
forthcomingly: adverbial form for describing actions done with future intent politely.
forthwhile: rare archaic word meaning immediately or very soon, found in classical texts.
pendent: technical term sometimes used in scheduling for items awaiting resolution.
emerging: New trends are emerging as the year draws to a close.
nearing: Our trip is nearing completion and we are excited to go home.

Informal Synonyms for Upcoming

soon: simple and direct way to say something will happen in a short time.
coming up: casual phrase for events scheduled for the near future.
on the way: describes something moving toward you, like a package or guest.
around the bend: slang for something happening very soon, often used humorously.
just over the hill: idiom suggesting an event is very close but still a bit away.
in a jiffy: implies something will happen extremely quickly, almost instantly.
on tap: means something is available or scheduled for near future consumption.
brewing: suggests an event is developing or getting closer, like a storm.
ahead: simple directional term for what lies in the future timeline.
due soon: common phrase for bills, packages, or deliveries arriving quickly.

Stronger and Weaker Words

Scheduled: Weaker: Refers to something planned for a specific future time
Foreseen: Stronger: Implies an event has been predicted or expected to happen
Awaiting: Weaker: Focuses on the state of waiting for something to arrive or happen
On the horizon: Weaker: A phrase used to describe something that will happen later
Doomed: Stronger: A negative term used when something is certain to happen, often badly

Antonyms for Upcoming

past
previous
gone
departed
finished
over
expired
elapsed
vanished
behind

How to Pick the Right Synonym

Select a synonym based on the formality required by your audience and the specific nuance you wish to convey. Formal contexts like business reports suit words like impending or forthcoming, while casual conversations allow idioms such as coming up or around the bend. Always consider whether the event feels urgent or distant; words like imminent or looming suggest closeness and potential pressure, whereas pending or prospective keep a more neutral distance. Avoid mixing tones within a single paragraph to maintain clarity and professionalism in your message.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between upcoming and impending?

Upcoming simply means something will happen in the near future, while impending suggests the event is very close and may feel unavoidable or significant, often carrying a sense of weight or urgency.

Can I use upcoming in formal writing?

Yes, upcoming is acceptable in formal writing, though words like forthcoming or imminent may sound more precise or professional depending on the context and the type of event being described.

What is an informal way to say upcoming?

Informal alternatives include coming up, soon, or around the bend, which work well in casual conversation or relaxed settings without sounding too stiff or rigid for the audience.

How do you choose between imminent and upcoming?

Use imminent when the event is expected to happen very soon, often with urgency, while upcoming is broader and applies to any scheduled event that is near but not necessarily immediate or critical.