impending
About to happen soon, often with negative implications
Examples
In a meeting
“We need to prepare for the impending audit next month.”
Over coffee
“I have a sense of impending doom about this exam.”
Why this word
upcoming
Impending emphasizes imminent threat or importance and inevitability, while upcoming is neutral about tone and suggests scheduled events
approaching
Impending stresses something about to happen very soon with weight or concern, while approaching just means coming closer
imminent
Impending and imminent are very close, but impending often carries more ominous connotation of looming inevitability
Usage tip
Use for events that are approaching and feel somewhat ominous or unavoidable. Usually suggests something serious or challenging.
Etymology
Latin: in- (upon) + pendere (to hang) — 'hanging over'
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Related words
synchronize
Make things happen at the same time or work together
fortuitous
Happening by chance in a lucky or beneficial way
precede
To come before something in time, order, or position
premature
Occurring before the appropriate or expected time
backburner
To postpone or give lower priority to something
imminent
About to happen very soon