Definition of imminencenext
as in threat
something that may cause injury or harm since the end of the Cold War, nuclear annihilation has seemed to be a less likely imminence

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of imminence Researchers debuted an inventory for classifying apocalyptic belief, comprising anthropogenic causality, theogenic causality, imminence, personal control, and the question of whether the end is a good or bad thing. Wyatt Williams, Harpers Magazine, 26 May 2026 C’mon, governor, stop your denial of the magnitude and imminence of our climate’s breakdown. Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 9 Mar. 2026 Of course, the imminence of the potential attack in Michigan being the impetus to bring the whole network down. Sarah Boxer, CNN Money, 16 Nov. 2025 The imminence of the Indigenous language Rục’s disappearance is mirrored by Vietnamese words appearing in their typographic visuality on a black background, casting a tension between orality and textuality, spirituality and materiality. Cátia Rodrigues, Variety, 16 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for imminence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imminence
Noun
  • However, the threat of taking California to the Supreme Court may be enough to bring the state’s AG Rob Bonta back to the bargaining table.
    Jack Dunn, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • For those who pursued advanced degrees in education, the threat of student loans was also a burden.
    Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The same goes for Brooks–who obviously was in no danger of being cut.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Read more on the rising dangers of living downstream from a glacier here.
    Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Imminence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imminence. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster