Impending
/ɪmˈpɛndɪŋ/
adjectiveB2
Definition
Impending describes an event or situation that will happen soon, usually something serious or negative. It is used to show that something is close in time and often causes worry or concern.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
About to happen soon, especially something negative or serious
- •The dark sky warned of an impending storm.
- •She was worried about the impending exam.
- •The company announced an impending closure of its factory.
Feeling or idea of something near in time
- •There was a sense of impending danger in the air.
- •The impending deadline made everyone work faster.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "impending" like "coming soon," but with a feeling of urgency or worry.
- ✓Picture dark clouds gathering in the sky just before a storm arrives.
- ✓It's the feeling you get when you know a big test or event is very near and you are nervous.
- ✓Sounds like "I'm pending" → imagine you are waiting (pending) for something to happen any moment.
- ✓Think of a movie scene where the hero sees danger approaching just before it arrives.
- ✓NOT like "past" (already happened), "impending" is about the near future.
- ✓NOT like "possible" (maybe happens), "impending" means it is definitely going to happen soon.
- ✓NOT like "planned" (organized), "impending" focuses on time and urgency, not preparation.
Try Other Words
- •Approaching: getting closer in time or space (Use when you want to emphasize the event is near but not necessarily worrying)
- •Forthcoming: about to happen or appear (Use in formal or neutral contexts)
- •Imminent: very close to happening, often used for serious events (Use when the event is almost certain and very soon)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: prefix "im-" (in, on, towards) + root "pend" (to hang, to wait) + suffix "-ing" (present participle form)
- •Etymology: From Latin "impendere," meaning "to hang over, threaten"
- •Historical development: Originally used to describe something hanging or leaning over, later used to mean something about to happen
- •Modern usage: Used as an adjective to describe events that are about to happen, often with a sense of urgency or threat
Reflect & Connect
•How does the feeling of impending events affect the way people prepare or react?
•Can something positive be described as impending, or is it mostly used for negative things? Why?
Fill in the blanks
1.The dark clouds signaled an impending ___ that made everyone hurry inside.
2.She felt nervous because of the impending ___ for her school project.
3.Unlike a possible event, an impending event is ___ to happen soon.
4.The team worked hard to meet the impending ___ before the deadline.
5.When the news announced the impending storm, people started to ___ their homes.
6.Impending danger often causes people to feel ___ or worried.
7.The word "impending" is often used with ___ words like "storm," "danger," or "crisis."