impend

verb

im·​pend im-ˈpend 

impended; impending; impends

intransitive verb

1

a

: to be about to occur

the impending trial

b

: to hover threateningly : menace

2

archaic : to hang suspended

Synonyms

• loom
• brew

Examples of impend in a Sentence

for confirmed pessimists some disaster always seems to be impending

Recent Examples on the Web

That Neue Klasse saved BMW from impending financial doom. —James Morris, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025

Democrats, on the other hand, are blasting this move as a sign of impending authoritarianism and call it an unprecedented overreach in presidential authority. —Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 29 Aug. 2025

The remainder of the trailer shows Wednesday moving through Nevermore Academy and the local town of Jericho, hunting down Tyler and attempting to save both her family and friends from impending doom. —Stephen Daw, Billboard, 14 Aug. 2025

Suarez and Naylor, both of whom are impending free agents, join a lineup headlined by Cal Raleigh, whose 42 homers led the majors. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 4 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin impendēre, from in- + pendēre to hang — more at pendant

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Rhymes for impend

• amend
• append
• ascend
• attend
• backend
• befriend
• boyfriend
• commend
• compend
• contend
• defend
• depend

Kids Definition

impend

verb

im·​pend im-ˈpend 

1

: to threaten to occur immediately

impending danger

2

: to be about to happen

an impending trip

3

archaic : to hang out or over