imminent
6 synonyms and 1 antonym for imminent, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — About to happen very soon.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
looming
impendent
Antonyms
How to use imminent
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
imminent danger
imminent threat
imminent arrival
Etymology
From Latin imminere, "to overhang" or "threaten" — the same root gives us eminent and mount.
Full origin of imminent →Frequently asked questions
What does “imminent” mean?
The word “imminent” means about to happen very soon. In plain terms, just about to happen — usually something dramatic or urgent.
How do you pronounce “imminent”?
“Imminent” is pronounced IH-mih-nuhnt (/ˈɪmɪnənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “imminent” in a sentence?
Here is “imminent” used in a sentence: “Forecasters warned that a storm was imminent.”
What part of speech is “imminent”?
“Imminent” is an adjective.
Where does the word “imminent” come from?
The word “imminent” comes from Latin. From Latin imminere, "to overhang" or "threaten" — the same root gives us eminent and mount.
Is “imminent” a common word?
“Imminent” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between imminent and eminent?
Imminent means about to happen very soon, describing timing, while eminent means famous or distinguished, describing a person's reputation or status. The two words sound alike but are unrelated in meaning, and confusing them is a common spelling mistake.
What is the difference between imminent and impending?
Imminent and impending are close synonyms that both describe something about to happen soon, but impending often carries a slightly stronger sense of foreboding or threat, such as "impending doom." Imminent is more neutral and can describe any event, good or bad, that is about to occur.
Can imminent describe something positive, or only bad events?
Imminent can describe any event that is about to happen, not just negative ones, such as an "imminent celebration" or "imminent arrival." However, it is used most frequently in contexts involving danger, risk, or urgency, which is why it often carries a slightly tense connotation.
