Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Imminent
Im′mi-nent
,Adj.
[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.” Spenser.
2.
Full of danger; threatening; menacing; perilous.
Hairbreadth scapes i’ the
imminent
deadly breach. Shakespeare
3.
(With upon) Bent upon; attentive to.
[R.]
Syn. – 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
You have defended me from
imminent
death. Shakespeare
No story I unfold of public woes,
Nor bear advices of
Nor bear advices of
impending
foes. Pope.
Fierce faces
threatening
war. Milton.
Webster 1828 Edition
Imminent
IM'MINENT
,Adj.
Literally, shooting over; hence, hanging over; impending; threatening; near; appearing as if about to fall on; used of evils; as imminent danger; imminent judgments, evils or death.
Definition 2024
imminent
imminent
English
Adjective
imminent (comparative more imminent, superlative most imminent)
- about to happen, occur, or take place very soon, especially of something which won't last long.
- 1927, Whitney v. California:
- To courageous, self-reliant men, with confidence in the power of free and fearless reasoning applied through the processes of popular government, no danger flowing from speech can be deemed clear and present unless the incidence of the evil apprehended is so imminent that it may befall before there is opportunity for full discussion.
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Usage notes
- Imminent and eminent are very similar sounds, and are weak rhymes; in some dialects, these may be confused. A typo of either word may result in a correction to the wrong word by spellchecking software. Imminent is also sometimes confused with immanent.
- Said of danger, threat and death.
Synonyms
Derived terms
Related terms
Translations
about to happen, occur, or take place very soon
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French
Adjective
imminent m (feminine singular imminente, masculine plural imminents, feminine plural imminentes)