imminent

[ im-uh-nuhnt ]

adjective

1. likely to occur at any moment; impending:

   Her death is imminent.

   Synonyms: near, at hand

   Antonyms: remote, distant

2. projecting or leaning forward; overhanging.

imminent

/ ˈɪmɪnənt /

adjective

1. liable to happen soon; impending
2. obsolete.
   jutting out or overhanging

Derived Forms

• ˈimminence, noun
• ˈimminently, adverb

Other Words From

• im·mi·nent·ly adverb
• im·mi·nent·ness noun
• un·im·mi·nent adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of imminent¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin imminent- (stem of imminēns ), present participle of imminēre “to overhang,” equivalent to im- im- ¹ + -min- from a base meaning “jut out, project, rise” ( eminent, mount ² ) + -ent- -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of imminent¹

C16: from Latin imminēre to project over, from im- (in) + -minēre to project; related to mons mountain

Synonym Study

Imminent, Impending, Threatening all may carry the implication of menace, misfortune, disaster, but they do so in differing degrees. Imminent may portend evil: an imminent catastrophe, but also may mean simply “about to happen”: The merger is imminent. Impending has a weaker sense of immediacy and threat than imminent : Real tax relief legislation is impending, but it too may be used in situations portending disaster: impending social upheaval; to dread the impending investigation. Threatening almost always suggests ominous warning and menace: a threatening sky just before the tornado struck.

Example Sentences

Together, its stocks lost about 20 percent of their value on Thursday, or more than $30 billion, and an imminent bond sale was canceled.

From New York Times

In a new essay at the Times, Gessen continues with their warnings — which are now even more critical given Trump’s imminent return to power:

From Salon

Earlier this month, a UN-backed assessment said there was a strong likelihood that famine was imminent in areas of northern Gaza.

From BBC

Asked if she was proposing the bill in response to her imminent entry into Congress, Mace said: "Yes, and absolutely. And then some."

From Salon

"This is happening when the IPC Famine Review Committee said just 11 days ago that parts of northern Gaza face an imminent risk of famine - and that immediate action is needed in days, not weeks," UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told reporters in New York.

From BBC

Related Words

• forthcoming
• immediate
• impending
• inevitable
• likely
• looming
• possible
• probable
• unavoidable