impend

verb

im·​pend im-ˈpend 

impended; impending; impends

intransitive verb

1

a

: to be about to occur

rain impended

b

: to hover threateningly : menace

… the pressing problems that now impend upon the region …

—Arturo Cruz Jr. et al.

2

archaic : to hang suspended

Synonyms of impend

• loom
• brew

Examples of impend in a Sentence

for confirmed pessimists some disaster always seems to be impending

Recent Examples on the Web

These days, the film industry is racked with anxiety about impending corporate mergers, uneven box-office returns, the rise of artificial intelligence and other nail-biting twists. —Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 24 Dec. 2025

If not, consider Chargers pass rusher Odafe Oweh, Colts edge defender Kwity Paye and Seahawks outside linebacker Boye Mafe, all impending free agents. —Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 20 Dec. 2025

The same applies to impending holiday bonuses. —Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 18 Dec. 2025

But Kingsley warns of impending trouble for the twosome as Trevor's ambition once again rears its ugly head. —Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin impendēre "to hang above, be suspended, be about to happen (of something undesirable), threaten," from im- im- + pendēre "to hang" — more at pendent

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