imminence
noun
im·mi·nence
ˈi-mə-nən(t)s 
1
: something imminent
especially
: impending evil or danger
2
: the quality or state of being imminent
Synonyms
Examples of imminence in a Sentence
since the end of the Cold War, nuclear annihilation has seemed to be a less likely imminence
Recent Examples on the Web
There are the spring 2025 collections—which Pharrell Williams kicked off last night—Vogue World: Paris, next week’s haute couture presentations, and the imminence of the 2024 Olympics.
—
Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 19 June 2024
As a result, the imminence of a threat should be assessed based on the individual’s propensity for violence and the likelihood of being able to stop him in the future.
—Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 1 July 2013
Analysts say that Netanyahu’s bellicose rhetoric over a potential Rafah operation is aimed in large part at his domestic constituency, overstating its imminence for political gain.
—Louisa Loveluck, Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2024
But on Friday, neither those forecasts, nor the frequent sense of the imminence of rain, could easily dispel the sense of warm-weather ease seemingly felt in Washington, as the city settled into the workday rituals and patterns of thought associated with the recent start of daylight saving time.
—Martin Weil, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024
In November, Paramount instituted a change of control provision to protect current high-level executives should a new owner take over, according to Securities and Exchange Commission documents, signaling the imminence of a potential takeover.
—J. Clara Chan, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2024
Police departments evaluate threats for credibility and imminence and the necessary resources are deployed to address the threat.
—Zenebou Sylla, CNN, 27 July 2023
There were indications of a decline in the event’s significance by 1916, when the news of its imminence was placed under a one-column headline on Page 12 of the May 29 (a Monday) editions of The San Diego Union.
—Merrie Monteagudo, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2023
Biden spoke to a number of European leaders on Friday to underscore the concerns raised by U.S. intelligence about the potential imminence of a Russian invasion.
—Dallas News, 12 Feb. 2022
Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 19 June 2024
As a result, the imminence of a threat should be assessed based on the individual’s propensity for violence and the likelihood of being able to stop him in the future.
—Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 1 July 2013
Analysts say that Netanyahu’s bellicose rhetoric over a potential Rafah operation is aimed in large part at his domestic constituency, overstating its imminence for political gain.
—Louisa Loveluck, Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2024
But on Friday, neither those forecasts, nor the frequent sense of the imminence of rain, could easily dispel the sense of warm-weather ease seemingly felt in Washington, as the city settled into the workday rituals and patterns of thought associated with the recent start of daylight saving time.
—Martin Weil, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024
In November, Paramount instituted a change of control provision to protect current high-level executives should a new owner take over, according to Securities and Exchange Commission documents, signaling the imminence of a potential takeover.
—J. Clara Chan, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2024
Police departments evaluate threats for credibility and imminence and the necessary resources are deployed to address the threat.
—Zenebou Sylla, CNN, 27 July 2023
There were indications of a decline in the event’s significance by 1916, when the news of its imminence was placed under a one-column headline on Page 12 of the May 29 (a Monday) editions of The San Diego Union.
—Merrie Monteagudo, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2023
Biden spoke to a number of European leaders on Friday to underscore the concerns raised by U.S. intelligence about the potential imminence of a Russian invasion.
—Dallas News, 12 Feb. 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'imminence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near imminence
Cite this Entry
“Imminence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imminence. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
imminence
noun
im·mi·nence
ˈim-ə-nən(t)s
: the quality or state of being imminent
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