imminent

Adjective
US[im-uh-nuhnt]/ˈɪmənənt/3 syllables
Synonyms: at handclose at handimpendentimpending

Open English WordNet

Adjective (1)

  1. close in time; about to occur“retribution is at hand”“some people believe the day of judgment is close at hand”“in imminent danger”“his impending retirement”Synonyms: at handclose at handimpendentimpendingOpposite distantSimilar close

Related words imminentness noun, imminency noun

Word of the day · Oct 11About this word
expediteverb

What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz

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Webster's Dictionary (1913)

Im′mi·nent adjective

Origin: L. imminens, p. pr. of imminere to project; pref. im- in + minere (in comp.) to jut, project. See Eminent.

1. Threatening to occur immediately; near at hand; impending; — said especially of misfortune or peril. “In danger imminent.” Edmund Spenser

2. Full of danger; threatening; menacing; perilous.

Hairbreadth scapes i' the imminent deadly breach.— William Shakespeare

3. (With upon) Bent upon; attentive to. rare

Their eyes ever imminent upon worldly matters.— John Milton

Synonyms: Impending; threatening; near; at hand. — Imminent, Impending, Threatening. Imminent is the strongest: it denotes that something is ready to fall or happen on the instant; as, in imminent danger of one's life. Impending denotes that something hangs suspended over us, and may so remain indefinitely; as, the impending evils of war. Threatening supposes some danger in prospect, but more remote; as, threatening indications for the future.

Three times to-day You have defended me from imminent death.— William Shakespeare
No story I unfold of public woes, Nor bear advices of impending foes.— Alexander Pope
Fierce faces threatening war.— John Milton

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54

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