Synonyms of impend

impend

verb

im-ˈpend 

as in to loom

to be about to happen

for confirmed pessimists some disaster always seems to be impending

Synonyms & Similar Words

• loom
• brew
• approach
• threaten
• menace
• draw on
• advance
• near
• hover
• hang
• gather
• overhang
• close in
• lower

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• diminish
• disappear
• recede
• fall
• vanish
• abate
• lessen
• decline
• subside
• shrink
• fade
• ebb
• wane
• relent
• dwindle
• die down
• moderate
• lower
• remit
• taper off
• taper
• let up
• pass
• withdraw
• fall back
• retreat
• de-escalate

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of impend

One man, Bill Cosby, has done it, but I Spy lasted three seasons, so Smart’s impending five-for-five record will be more impressive. — Joyce Eng, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Aug. 2026

Enjoy perpetually clear skies and a sense of impending doom while looking after Cerberus. — Brandon Follick, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2026

The massive instrument was once used by Côte d’Ivoire’s Atchan/Ebrié people to transmit messages between villages many miles apart, including warnings of impending French recruitment operations. — Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 10 Aug. 2026

In her absence, followers host a daily, three-hour livestream, recording themselves discussing news events from around the world, often concluding that Didulo will return and save the world from impending disaster. — Zander Sherman, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing impend

• impend (over)