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
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In the first five minutes, Leeds had several moments of threat down their left side, with Abbott actually doing well — albeit armed with a big chunk of luck — to deflect a Gabriel Gudmundsson cross over his own bar.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
7 Feb. 2026
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The police say there is no threat to the public and their investigation continues.—
Jack Perry,
The Providence Journal,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But one of the things Sturm noticed during his goal-less stretch was a habit of spending too much time outside high-danger ice.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
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Even Floridians who support Israel or adore Ron DeSantis should recognize the danger here.—
Hiba Rahim,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Imminence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imminence. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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