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
-
But the decision to proceed with the mass demonstration attended by some senior government officials and Israel's threat underscored the fierce determination on both sides of a war that has rattled the global economy and shows no sign of letting up.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
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By processing large volumes of data quickly, AI can help determine which drones represent actual threats and which might be acting as decoys within a swarm.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Military planners believe drones could help clear sea mines quickly without putting crews in direct danger.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Environmental organizations, local residents and state political leaders have strongly opposed such resumption, citing potential dangers to ocean health.—
Clara Harter Los Angeles Times,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Imminence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imminence. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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