imminent Hear it!

imminent Definition

im·mi·nent (im′ə nənt)

adjective

likely to happen without delay; impending; threatening: said of danger, evil, misfortune

Etymology: L imminens, prp. of imminere, to project over, threaten < in-, on + minere, to project: see menace

imminent Related Forms
im′·mi·nently adverb
imminent Synonyms

imminent

modif.

approaching, impending, coming, in store, at hand, brewing, about to happen, near, immediate, next, following, on its way, looming, to come, in view, in the offing, forthcoming, expected, threatening, in the wind*, on the horizon*, on the verge*, in the cards*, around the corner*, staring one in the face*; see also coming 1, destined 1.

Antonyms remote, possible*, future.

imminent Usage Examples

Modifying Another Word

  • now: With State of Emergency 2's release now imminent, what can players expect from the sequel?
  • so: Although the capability was then recessed and the menace not so imminent, mature opinion in Pakistan already recognized the need for restraint.
  • not: These events are not imminent in Lord Russell's view.
  • also: Also imminent at the Castle Hill Hospital site is a £ 45m investment into cardiac facilities.
  • always: Although always imminent, the arrival of the information society must be perpetually postponed.
  • neither: As we had underlined consistently, military action was neither imminent nor inevitable.

Preposition: at

  • moment: The group has already run the rule over a couple of potential takeover targets, although nothing is imminent at the moment.

Adjective complement with noun phrase

  • make: The lack of research in Ireland made the study imminent.

Modifies a noun

  • demise: What has this got to do with the imminent demise of the randomized trial?
  • danger: Nor was there any medical evidence of imminent danger to his health.
  • arrival: The evening spread is about to get bigger with the imminent arrival of a new menu.
  • threat: There never was an imminent threat to anyone, not even Kuwait.
  • peril: Immediately there was a huge conflagration and expensive property was in imminent peril.
  • deportation: These Zimbabweans now face the possibility of imminent deportation.

Used with adjective complement

  • seem: There is a payoff seems imminent about the many the most puzzling.
  • appear: By the end of the month, military action appeared imminent.
  • become: It represented a final break with its dominion past, which already became imminent in the 1983 constitution.
  • look: At one stage, closure of the tiny school looked imminent.
  • consider: Such a move is not considered imminent, however, & there are no short-term funding issues at the firm.
  • say: I say imminent, but although Tim did OK, Jax got caught in traffic from hell.