as in threat
something that may cause injury or harm
since the end of the Cold War, nuclear annihilation has seemed to be a less likely imminence
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Recent Examples of imminence
Second, and related to the first, the prophecies tend to concern things with minimal social relevance—an acorn about to fall, the imminence of a blue car, a word someone will speak.
—
Literary Hub, 23 July 2025
The number five, in both cases, becomes a symbol of loss and imminence, painted in starkly different hues.
—arkansasonline.com, 5 July 2025
Those of us with long memories can remember Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu talking about the imminence of an Iranian nuclear bomb as far back as 1996.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2025
Sometimes the pas de deux between light showbiz dramedy and weightier themes, from the existential threats facing the arts community to the imminence of extinction-level environmental catastrophes, can feel disproportionate.
—Judy Berman, Time, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for imminence
Literary Hub, 23 July 2025
The number five, in both cases, becomes a symbol of loss and imminence, painted in starkly different hues.
—arkansasonline.com, 5 July 2025
Those of us with long memories can remember Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu talking about the imminence of an Iranian nuclear bomb as far back as 1996.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2025
Sometimes the pas de deux between light showbiz dramedy and weightier themes, from the existential threats facing the arts community to the imminence of extinction-level environmental catastrophes, can feel disproportionate.
—Judy Berman, Time, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for imminence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imminence
Noun
-
Trump later dropped that threat.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Trump has been outspoken about his plans to acquire Greenland, citing national security threats from Russia and China.—
Sarah Davis,
The Hill,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The firm ran ads warning of the dangers of marijuana during the weeks leading up to the vote on the Amendment 3, which won approval from 56% of Florida voters but failed to reach the 60% threshold needed to become law.—
Jeffrey Schweers,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Feb. 2026
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The scenes playing out in Minneapolis in recent weeks offer an object lesson in the dangers of federal overreach.—
Stephen Mihm,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Imminence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imminence. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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