Synonyms for Impending
Updated · Synonyms List editorial team
Quick answer: Impending describes an event or danger that is about to happen. You can use synonyms like approaching, looming, or nigh to convey that something is close at hand. Choosing the right word depends on the tone you want to set for your writing.
Closest Synonyms for Impending
- approaching
- Moving closer in time or space; the storm is approaching quickly.
- looming
- Looking large and threatening; a dark future looms ahead.
- nigh
- Very close in time; victory is nigh and we are almost there.
- on the way
- Arriving soon; help is on the way and we should wait.
- in the offing
- Expected to occur soon; a new project is in the offing.
- at hand
- Present or ready to happen; the decision is at hand now.
- about to
- Ready to occur; she is about to leave the room.
- imminent
- About to happen, often with urgency; the storm is imminent.
- pending
- Awaiting a decision or result; the outcome is still pending.
- brewing
- Developing slowly; trouble is brewing behind the closed doors.
- at the gates
- Very close to arrival; the enemy is at the gates.
Formal Synonyms for Impending
- threatening
- This word suggests a looming danger, as in a threatening storm approaching the coast.
- foreseen
- Suggests an event that is predicted and expected to occur soon.
- in sight
- Means close enough to see or anticipate, like a destination in sight.
- about
- A casual way to say something is happening soon, like a meeting about to start.
- drawing near
- Describes an event or person moving closer in time or space.
- fast approaching
- Emphasizes the quick rate at which an event is coming.
- inevitable
- Indicates something that will definitely happen, no matter what, like an inevitable conclusion.
- forthcoming
- Means an event that will happen soon, like a forthcoming meeting on Friday.
Informal Synonyms for Impending
- about to happen
- This event is about to happen any moment now, so grab your seat.
- on the brink
- We are on the brink of making a life-changing decision tomorrow.
- due
- The package is due for delivery before dinner time.
- coming soon
- The new movie is coming soon to theaters nationwide.
- just around the corner
- Graduation is just around the corner for all seniors.
Stronger and Weaker Words
- coming
- weaker
- impending crisis
- stronger
- about to occur
- weaker
Antonyms for Impending
- departing
- distant
- absent
- remote
- missing
- gone
- vanished
- finished
- done
- complete
- past
- behind
- away
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between impending and imminent?
Impending suggests something is about to happen, while imminent implies it will happen very soon, often immediately.
Can you use impending for good things?
Yes, you can use impending for good events, though it often carries a slightly serious or heavy tone.
What is a good synonym for impending in formal writing?
Imminent or approaching are excellent formal choices that maintain a professional tone while indicating near future events.
Are there informal ways to say something is impending?
Yes, phrases like on the way or about to work well in casual conversation to describe something happening soon.
