# impending

/ˌɪmˈpɛndɪŋ/ (US) · /ɪmpˈɛndɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/impending
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. about to happen

adjective · CEFR B2

describing something that is going to happen very soon, often something unpleasant like a storm or a deadline.

For teachers: imminent or about to occur; typically used to describe events that are unavoidable or threatening.

- The dark clouds in the distance were a clear sign of an impending storm.
- The company's stock price plummeted as investors reacted to news of the impending merger and the likely restructuring that would follow.

Usage: Usually placed before the noun it describes.

Teaching tip: While technically neutral, this word is most often used for negative events like disasters, deadlines, or crises.

## Examples

- The impending storm forced us to stay inside.
- The impending deadline made the whole team work late into the night.
- The impending collapse of the empire was evident in the crumbling infrastructure and the growing unrest among the provinces.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.