impend
verb
im·pend im-ˈpend 
impended; impending; impends
intransitive verb
1
a
: to be about to occur
the impending trial
b
: to hover threateningly : menace
2
archaic : to hang suspended
Synonyms
- brew
- loom
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
for confirmed pessimists some disaster always seems to be impending
Recent Examples on the Web Meanwhile, stories speculating about an impending baby boom caused by bored couples stuck at home during quarantine were filling news feeds. 
Monique Brouillette, Wired, 28 May 2020 As the pilot interrupted to inform us of our impending landing, a landmass appeared in the window to my right. Natasha Bazika, Travel + Leisure, 24 May 2020 Emori condemning an innocent Grounder to death All that remained of humanity was desperate to live when word of the impending Praimfaya spread. Alamin Yohannes, EW.com, 20 May 2020 The Missouri Attorney General's Office earlier this month asked a court to reject Barton's petition over his impending execution after the state Supreme Court already denied his request for a hearing last month. NBC News, 15 May 2020 Delaying the implementation of the act would hurt our children and working families by further exacerbating our state’s impending budget crisis. oregonlive, 12 May 2020 Though there’s no indication that Neom could face cuts, an impending global recession is likely to complicate efforts to secure finance and attract investors. Vivian Nereim, Bloomberg.com, 8 May 2020 City Communications and Marketing Director Julie McGovern Voyzey said the resident survey being conducted through Friday (May 8) will also help inform the city’s impending decisions on modified summer recreation activities. Thomas Jewell, cleveland, 4 May 2020 Since 2018, news of an impending insect apocalypse has circulated widely and faced criticism. Theresa Machemer, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Apr. 2020 See More
Monique Brouillette, Wired, 28 May 2020 As the pilot interrupted to inform us of our impending landing, a landmass appeared in the window to my right. Natasha Bazika, Travel + Leisure, 24 May 2020 Emori condemning an innocent Grounder to death All that remained of humanity was desperate to live when word of the impending Praimfaya spread. Alamin Yohannes, EW.com, 20 May 2020 The Missouri Attorney General's Office earlier this month asked a court to reject Barton's petition over his impending execution after the state Supreme Court already denied his request for a hearing last month. NBC News, 15 May 2020 Delaying the implementation of the act would hurt our children and working families by further exacerbating our state’s impending budget crisis. oregonlive, 12 May 2020 Though there’s no indication that Neom could face cuts, an impending global recession is likely to complicate efforts to secure finance and attract investors. Vivian Nereim, Bloomberg.com, 8 May 2020 City Communications and Marketing Director Julie McGovern Voyzey said the resident survey being conducted through Friday (May 8) will also help inform the city’s impending decisions on modified summer recreation activities. Thomas Jewell, cleveland, 4 May 2020 Since 2018, news of an impending insect apocalypse has circulated widely and faced criticism. Theresa Machemer, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Apr. 2020 See More Word History
Etymology
Latin impendēre, from in- + pendēre to hang — more at pendant
First Known Use
1585, in the meaning defined at sense 1b
impend
verb
as in to loom
to be about to happen for confirmed pessimists some disaster always seems to be impending Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- loom
- brew
- approach
- threaten
- near
- menace
- hover
- advance
- draw on
- close in
- overhang
- hang
- lour
- gather
- lower
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- recede
- diminish
- abate
- disappear
- vanish
- fall
- lessen
- decline
- ebb
- subside
- shrink
- fade
- wane
- relent
- lower
- moderate
- taper off
- remit
- recede
- taper
- let up
- pass
- withdraw
- dwindle
- die down
- fall back
- retreat
- de-escalate