upcoming
On the horizon
Upcoming describes something scheduled to happen soon: an upcoming election, an upcoming album release, an upcoming meeting.
The word functions only as an adjective placed before nouns—you wouldn't say an election is upcoming the way you'd say it's forthcoming.
It's a twentieth-century formation that has largely displaced the older forthcoming in casual use.
Coming toward something
- nearingGetting progressively closer
- impendingSoon to occur
- loomingAppearing threateningly close
- pendingAwaiting resolution or decision
soon · close · oncoming · around the corner · at hand · near-term · on the way · in store
Expected in the future
- eventualOccurring after delay
- futureTime still to come
- nextImmediately following in sequence
- laterAt a subsequent time
ahead · down the road · in the pipeline · in the works · potential · possible · projected · forecast
Decided on beforehand
- calendarDate-tracking system
- timetableArranged list of events
- agendaFormal discussion list
- itineraryPlanned sequence of destinations
program · lineup · slate · docket · arrangement · booking · reservation · confirmed
Expected to come
- long-awaitedExpected after much time
- expectedRegarded as likely
- countdownBackward enumeration to zero
- excitementState of eager enthusiasm
anticipation · eagerness · enthusiasm · hope · buildup · hype · buzz · can't wait
approaching
Coming toward something
pending · soon · close · oncoming · around the corner · at hand · near-term · on the way · in store · on the horizon
prospective
Expected in the future
later · ahead · down the road · in the pipeline · in the works · potential · possible · projected · forecast · outlook
planned
Decided on beforehand
itinerary · program · lineup · slate · docket · arrangement · booking · reservation · confirmed · announced
awaited
Expected to come
- long-awaitedExpected after much time
- expectedRegarded as likely
- countdownBackward enumeration to zero
excitement · anticipation · eagerness · enthusiasm · hope · buildup · hype · buzz · can't wait
- approachingapproaching, nearing, advancing, closing in, incoming
- event adjectivesannual, scheduled, planned, recurring, biannual
- future timestomorrow, soon, later, eventually, someday
- coming soontrailer, teaser, preview, sneak peek, preorder
- timesecond, minute, hour, day, seconds
- time wordsminute, hour, day, now, soon