English vocabulary · B2
Impending
/ɪmˈpɛn.dɪŋ/ · adj.
It means something bad is about to happen. It is very close and you cannot stop it.
Watch the Impending lessonContinue in the learning app for video lessons and review.
Example sentences
- The impending storm forced everyone inside.
- She felt an impending sense of danger.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- im — on (from Latin)
- pend — hang (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- LOOMING — coming closer, looking big (Dark & Growing)
- IMMINENT — about to happen immediately (Any Second Now)
- APPROACHING — getting nearer (Neutral & Moving Closer)
Words with the same root
pend — hang
- depend — to rely on something above you
- suspend — to hang something and stop it
- pending — waiting; not yet decided
Lesson notes
Impending. It means something bad is about to happen. It is very close and you cannot stop it.
Similar words are looming, imminent, and approaching. Use impending when danger is close and people feel afraid.
The impending storm forced everyone inside. She felt an impending sense of danger.
From Latin. im- means on. Pend means hang. Something hanging over you, about to fall — that is impending.