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

Aubrey Layne, Sentara’s chief administrative officer, said lower payment rates from government programs — and impending cuts to Medicaid — are forcing the hospital to play hardball with the insurers that are representing employers. — Bob Herman, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026 The film is a satire about an impending climate change apocalypse that’s triggered by the drilling operations of oil tycoon Digger Rockwell, played by Cruise, who looks nearly unrecognizable clad in prosthetics and graying hair. — Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Verb

There’s a wonderful fraction of a second when the Villa fans in the Holte End have to adjust from impending despair to utter joy. — Amitai Winehouse, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026 This Celtic name references the goddess of war who often appeared as a crow and at times was a sign of impending doom or death. — Anna Earl, Parents, 5 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for impending

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impending

Adjective

In doing so, the report adds new data to a growing pile of information about poverty and economic hardship in the state, showing that even before some of the upcoming federal benefit cuts take effect, a growing number of households are struggling.

— P.R. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 14 Oct. 2026
The state also invoked an upcoming ballot measure as a reason for the justices to refrain from intervening.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of upcoming

Adjective

If an assessment identifies an imminent threat covered by the bill, evaluators must notify Commerce within 72 hours of completing their review.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
But more than 40 countries currently struggling with financing and liquidity challenges do not have debt stocks that require imminent restructuring.

— Masood Ahmed, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of imminent

Adjective

The implications are worrying, especially when considering the fact that Black Friday and Cyber Monday are fast approaching.

— Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
The 2026 midterm elections are fast approaching, and in some states, voters are already casting ballots.

— Melina Khan, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of approaching

Adjective

Flood expects discovery to begin in the coming months, as the lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages, attorneys' fees and a jury trial.

— Elaine Rojas-Castillo, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026
The county has an ample pot of uncommitted funds in coming years, however, in part because of the rapid growth of the revenue stream.

— Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026