imminent

[im-uh-nuhnt] / ˈɪm ə nənt /

ADJECTIVE

at hand, on the way

Synonyms

STRONGEST

forthcoming immediate impending inevitable likely looming possible probable unavoidable

WEAK

about to happen approaching brewing close coming expectant fast-approaching following gathering in store in the air in the cards in the offing in the wind in view ineluctable inescapable inevasible menacing near nearing next nigh on its way on the horizon on the verge overhanging see it coming threatening to come unescapable

Antonyms

STRONGEST

avoidable distant escapable later never unlikely

WEAK

doubtful far future

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“The petitioner alleges imminent threat to life” if the court doesn’t take urgent action, the judge said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

Once demand for calls tied to hot megacap and semiconductor names starts to slacken, it could be a sign that a selloff is imminent, he said.

From MarketWatch • May 28, 2026

SpaceX’s IPO filing and the reports that OpenAI’s filing is imminent came just two days after SpaceX’s founder and chief executive officer, Elon Musk lost a jury trial over a lawsuit challenging OpenAI’s corporate structure.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

The strikes come as Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baqai said some progress has made in talks with the US, but a deal to end the conflict "is not imminent".

From BBC • May 26, 2026

With the danger of capture by the Soviets imminent, Schindler knew he had to flee.

From "The Boy on the Wooden Box" by Leon Leyson

Vocabulary lists containing imminent

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