impending

adjective

im·​pend·​ing im-ˈpen-diŋ 

: occurring or likely to occur soon : upcoming

impending trials

impending motherhood

… scientists who rely on the satellite signals for hints of impending earthquakes and volcanic eruptions …

—R. Monastersky

… heed the warnings of impending disaster.

—Publishers Weekly

… many of us secretly enjoy the sassier commercials and elegant layouts, not to mention being told of impending sales.

—Andrew Hacker

Synonyms of impending

• upcoming
• approaching
• coming

Examples of impending in a Sentence

an impending celebration of the 100th anniversary of the college's founding

an aura of impending doom hung over the city

Recent Examples on the Web

At the Jungle, outreach workers have canvassed the camp for weeks to warn residents of the impending sweep and to sign them up for slots at tiny homes or motels. —Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026

But for the less-superstitious and more scientific-minded folks, Apophis' impending approach toward our planet represents an unprecedented opportunity to study one of the most potentially hazardous asteroids ever detected. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026

Residents who use Kane County’s website and meeting documents are going to see some changes soon, as the county works to make its online materials compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act in advance of an impending federal deadline. —Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026

In the context of extreme space weather, some individuals or groups may interpret such an event as an impending apocalypse. —Ryan French, Space.com, 15 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of impend

First Known Use

1616, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for impending

• amending
• appending
• ascending
• attending
• befriending
• commending
• contending
• defending
• depending
• descending
• distending
• expending