IMPENDING Synonyms: 87 Similar and Opposite Words

impending 1 of 2

adjective

im-ˈpen-diŋ

Definition of impending

as in upcoming

being soon to appear or take place an impending celebration of the 100th anniversary of the college's founding

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in looming

giving signs of immediate occurrence an aura of impending doom hung over the city

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

impending

2 of 2

verb

present participle of impend

as in brewing

to be about to happen for confirmed pessimists some disaster always seems to be impending

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of impending

Adjective

Moeller noted the short timeline and quick turnaround of the decision were due to impending election deadlines. — Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 5 Sep. 2026 All of this has unfolded in a consequential season for Bohm, who is an impending free agent. — Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Verb

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 See All Example Sentences for impending

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impending

Adjective

Michigan’s upcoming game against Oklahoma should be the biggest story in town.

— Austin Meek, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Although Republicans hold 53 seats in the Senate to Democrats' 45, along with two independents who caucus with Democrats, GOP senators have raised concerns about possible tight margins on upcoming votes in the fall.

— Keely Doll, Louisville Courier Journal, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of upcoming

Adjective

But on Thursday, the Missouri Supreme Court ordered the state to use a different map adopted in 2022 for the imminent 2026 general election.

— Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2026
Those forecasts add hope for office workers after top AI leaders previously signaled a jobs apocalypse was imminent.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of imminent

Verb

That said, at one point Eleanor captures Sofia giving Dunst a note about the scene where Marie Antoinette is upbraided by her ambassador (played by Steve Coogan) for paying more attention to sleeve lengths than a looming diplomatic crisis.

— Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2026
The immediate reaction to the ruling among election officials largely centered on the looming Tuesday deadline, Zorich and Spencer said.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of looming

Adjective

Best Amazon Dress Sales Under $50 Fall is fast approaching, and while sundress season is technically over, these dresses will carry you over into the cooler months.

— Paige Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2026
August 29, the fictional date (in 1997) of the franchise’s original nuclear holocaust, is fast approaching, and Judgment Day is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026