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

By that time in early February, the orchard of Ross cling peaches, considered a late variety for the time of its summer harvest, workers would have pruned each tree and sprayed the orchard in anticipation of the impending bloom. —Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 26 Feb. 2026

An age-gap love affair causes a middle-aged man to reflect on his past failures and impending death. —Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026

Oil prices edged higher, extending gains amid concerns of an impending military action against Iran in the absence of a deal. —Anniek Bao,joe Kernen, CNBC, 25 Feb. 2026

One impending free-agent receiver name might already be off the board for the Broncos. —Luca Evans, Denver Post, 25 Feb. 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