Synonyms of imminent

imminent

adjective

ˈi-mə-nənt 

1

as in impending

giving signs of immediate occurrence

a storm is imminent, so you should seek shelter now

Synonyms & Similar Words

• impending
• looming
• possible
• coming
• approaching
• brewing
• around the corner
• threatening
• future
• pending
• probable
• inevitable
• nearing
• forthcoming
• upcoming
• unavoidable
• predicted
• ominous
• oncoming
• likely
• anticipated
• apocalyptic
• gathering
• foreseen
• awaited
• near
• expected
• menacing
• portentous
• lowering

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• distant
• eventual
• ultimate
• remote
• past
• former
• recent
• far-off
• late
• bygone

2

as in upcoming

being soon to appear or take place

an imminent development that should radically transform how we treat the disease

Synonyms & Similar Words

• upcoming
• approaching
• impending
• coming
• nearing
• to come
• forthcoming
• oncoming
• at hand
• on hand
• future
• proximate
• pending
• on tap
• anticipated
• awaited
• predicted
• expected
• foreseen

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• recent
• late
• other
• past
• former
• sometime
• foregone
• old
• erstwhile
• bygone
• onetime
• quondam
• whilom

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of imminent

Nothing is imminent, and OConnell has kept her plans close to the vest, leaving Hollywood guessing about what the new structure would look like. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2026

Trade watchers are waiting for Tuesday’s elections to pass to ascertain whether a US-Canada deal is actually imminent. — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 2026

Some in the alcohol and marijuana industries support an imminent ban with further regulation down the line. — Sarah Owermohle, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2026

That denial turned on the plaintiffs’ failure to demonstrate an actual or imminent injury sufficient to seek emergency relief, rather than a determination that the administration’s demands were lawful. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 2 Nov. 2026