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

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

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

From BBC

A UN-backed assessment warned earlier this month that there was “strong likelihood that famine is imminent in areas within the northern Gaza Strip”.

From BBC

Related Words

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