Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com

hanging over

ADJECTIVE
destined
Synonyms
STRONGEST
coming designed doomed intended
STRONG
brewing closed compelled condemned directed foreordained impending looming meant menacing near ordained overhanging predestined predetermined sealed settled stated threatening
WEAK
at hand certain compulsory forthcoming in prospect in store in the cards in the wind ineluctable inescapable inevitable inexorable instant predesigned que sera sera that is to be that will be to come unavoidable way the ball bounces
Antonyms
STRONG
distant remote unsettled
WEAK
avoidable unscheduled

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But hanging over the king’s visit is the shadow of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

But many of the concerns hanging over tech haven’t gone away.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

He had travelled to Leigh-on-Sea in Essex, and March in Cambridgeshire, and as he drove through Willingham the crane's unsecured grabber moved and was hanging over the side of his trailer.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

Some executives privately expressed frustration with the administration’s optimistic message, adding that the uncertainty hanging over the conflict made it impossible to plan investments.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

The second week of January 1890, Jo writes to her sister, “It’s like a sword of Damocles forever hanging over our heads—I never really have a moment’s peace.”

From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman