impending

adjective

im·​pend·​ing im-ˈpen-diŋ How to pronounce impending (audio)
Synonyms of impendingnext
: 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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Back in Tehran, where heavy bombardment hit several locations including residential areas late Thursday night, residents have said they, too, are given no warnings about impending attacks. Kara Fox, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026 That quest starts in earnest this week, as Denver considers whether to push to retain any of its impending free agents and then hits the legal tampering period with all free agents beginning Monday. Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2026 Other key impending free agents, like linebacker Quincy Williams and safety Tony Adams, are less likely to return. Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026 Foligno’s time with the Hawks seems to be nearing its end — if not Friday, likely this offseason for the impending free agent — meaning the locker room will become even younger. Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for impending

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of impend

First Known Use

1616, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of impending was in 1616

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Impending.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impending. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on impending

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster