The Word “Forthcoming”: Definition, Synonyms, and Usage
Forthcoming – Definition and Part of Speech
The word forthcoming functions primarily as an adjective in English. It describes something that is about to happen or be received, such as a publication, announcement, or event. Additionally, when describing people, it conveys a sense of openness, cooperativeness, or readiness to share information. As an adverbial form, “forthcomingly” can describe actions done in this open or cooperative manner.
Core Synonyms
| Synonym | Brief Definition/Nuance | Example Sentence | Style/Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Impending | Indicates something approaching soon but often with a sense of urgency or inevitability. | “The impending deadline loomed over the team.” | Formal, Business |
| Upcoming | Neutral term for events or releases that will happen in the near future without specific nuance of anticipation. | “There is an upcoming meeting next Tuesday.” | Informal/Casual |
| Approaching | Similar to “impending,” but usually less urgent; used frequently for both abstract and literal proximity in time or space. | “The approaching summer months bring warmer weather.” | Academic/Formal |
| Anticipated | Suggests an element of expectation or eagerness toward a future event or result. | “The anticipated results were published last week.” | Formal, Academic |
| Pending | Often used in contexts like tasks, decisions, or payments that are expected but have not yet been resolved or delivered. | “All pending issues will be discussed in the next session.” | Business/Formal |
Usage Notes
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Impending and Approaching: These synonyms often carry a sense of urgency and are useful when emphasizing something about to occur, such as deadlines or events that require preparation.
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Upcoming: This is versatile for casual conversations, marketing language, and informal announcements where neutrality regarding the time frame or emotional anticipation is needed.
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Anticipated: Particularly effective in contexts where excitement or expectation plays a role, like product launches or academic results. It’s commonly used when the outcome has been eagerly awaited.
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Pending: Ideal for formal or business settings to describe tasks, decisions, or payments that are awaited but not yet completed or resolved. It often implies a waiting period rather than imminent occurrence.
Common Pitfalls
A frequent confusion with “forthcoming” arises in its dual use: one as describing an event’s future occurrence and another concerning people’s openness. Choosing the correct synonym depends on this context:
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Event vs. Personality: Use “impending” or “upcoming” for events, while opting for “open” or “cooperative” when discussing a person’s demeanor.
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Intensity of Anticipation: Some synonyms like “anticipated” convey more expectation than simply being “forthcoming.” Misusing them might lead to miscommunication about the level of anticipation involved.
Final Recap
To summarize, “forthcoming” can be effectively replaced by various synonyms depending on context and nuance:
- Use impending for urgent future events.
- Opt for upcoming in neutral or casual contexts.
- Choose approaching for academic formality without urgency.
- Select anticipated when eagerness is involved.
- Apply pending mainly in business contexts indicating a delay or wait.
Encourage yourself to practice these synonyms by writing sentences or engaging in conversation. This will help solidify their meanings and nuances in your mind, broadening both your vocabulary and linguistic flexibility.